Not your stereotype
In 2023, YOUCA stood up with Plan International for gender justice and against sexual violence in Senegal. We also supported smaller projects on the theme of gender equality in Belgium, South Africa, Nepal, Greece, and the Philippines.
The challenge
Sexual violence is a huge problem around the world. Mainly women, transgender people and people whose gender identity does not fit within the male-female dichotomy are often victims of (an attempted) sexual act that is imposed on them by force or coercion.
Gender norms underlie this kind of violence. These are social rules and beliefs about how people behave depending on their gender. Some of these norms include, for example, that girls should play with dolls and boys should play with cars, or that boys should be loud and tough and girls should be sweet and caring. Gender norms perpetuate unequal power relations. For instance, women often earn less than men and are less likely to qualify for top positions in companies and organisations. Trans individuals are also less likely to find jobs because they fall outside the norm.
The approach
Plan International tackles this issue through the Champions of Change programme, through which they work with young people in 41 countries, giving them the tools to eliminate gender stereotypes in their local communities. YOUCA specifically supports the project in Senegal, where Plan International is working with young people to use football as a tool to tackle gender stereotypes. They do this through football tournaments through which they reach other young people but also parents, politicians and social leaders. The young people also make radio broadcasts in which they share their ideas and experiences with the general public. In this way, they raise gender justice issues with different target groups and convince them to create an open and safe environment for young people.
Besides the project in Senegal, YOUCA young people chose five other, small-scale, projects in different countries using sport to promote gender equality. These were Football Girls Leuven in Belgium, Next Gen Men in South Africa, Her Voice. Her Choice. in Nepal, YOGA & Sport with Refugees in Greece, and Girls Community League Festival in the Philippines.
Educational material
To deepen and make YOUCA Action Day live widely in schools, we developed an educational package together with Plan International around Senegal and the annual theme of sexual violence. The lessons are suitable for different subjects, thus making the YOUCA Action Day a school-wide concept.
