The Allianz Workshop focused on the empowerment of girls through sports and education took place recently under the O!YES program, an initiative of the International Olympafrica Foundation supported by the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
The workshop aimed to promote the social development of young girls and boys aged 10 to 15, utilizing sport, physical activity, and Olympic values as tools for youth empowerment, inclusion, and gender equality. A key activity of the workshop was the awareness raising and distribution of sanitary materials to young girls, designed to encourage their full participation in center activities and the O!YES program. The primary goal was to increase girls’ participation in Olympafrica center activities.
The socio-educational objectives included promoting the emancipation of young girls, educating and raising awareness among young girls and their parents about menstrual health, sexuality, sexual violence, early pregnancy, and the importance of girls’ education. Additionally, essential hygiene materials, including sanitary towels, were provided to support young girls.
The workshop also aimed to develop the physical, physiological, and technical skills of participants in various sporting disciplines. The event featured esteemed educators and speakers from organizations such as SWAGAA (Swaziland Action Group Against Abuse), Days for Girls Eswatini, the Ministry of Education, local schools, and a representative from one of our leading women in sports. Overall, 64 girls left the workshop empowered and equipped with sanitary pads and essential knowledge to support their well-being and participation in sports.
The event was further given weight by the presence of the whole EOCGA Board which was led by the President, Adam Mthethwa, who gave a beautiful testimony about the impact sport has had in his life, much to the amusement by the young girls.
This successful initiative highlights the ongoing commitment of the O!YES program to empower young girls and promote their active engagement in sports and education, fostering a brighter future for the next generation.