Unicef scores

Unicef has now issued two progress reports on the project revealing that the football project format is effective. Over 200 football teams are now active in the Kwale District. Awareness of HIV and AIDS has clearly improved: the number of HIV tests taken voluntarily by young people is rising. During a regional football tournament in the Kwale District, for example, 180 young people had themselves tested.

Cultural perception and attitudes are changing

Several communities where the project is being conducted are primarily Islamic. Before the project, nobody in these communities believed that women could play football. Nor could anybody imagine women wearing football shorts, as their legs would be exposed. Involving imams, local authorities and community leaders in organising local tournaments has helped modify cultural perceptions and attitudes toward women in the community. Most families encourage their daughters to participate in the football tournaments. Many of them wear sports attire.

Leadership, mastering life skills and capacity building

One hundred and fifty girls (80 girls from the Kwale District, 30 from Mombasa, 20 from Garissa and 20 from Kilifi) have now been trained as football coaches and referees. Each of them has obtained a Third Grade diploma from the Kenyan football association. This diploma qualifies them to work at official football matches and to receive payment and has increased their self-confidence, as well as providing them with a source of income. This has helped make them less vulnerable and socially dependent. As a result, these girls are on a more equal footing in discussing sex with boys and thus less likely to become infected with HIV/AIDS.

In the Kilifi District trained peer educators planned and organised the district football tournament. In doing so, they demonstrated to teachers, parents, youths and the entire community that girls are capable of organising their own activities.

Life-skills training was offered to 20 peer educators from the Mathare Youth Sports Association (MYSA). Thanks in part to this training, peer educators dealt with two cases of rape in their community and arranged for the girls to go to a local women's hospital for treatment and follow-up care.

Plans for the future

• Unicef intends to extend the football project to other parts of Kenya as well. Staff in Kenya is needed to monitor progress and spending.
• Unicef aims to set up an official football competition in five areas.
• Trainers are needed who in addition to addressing football technique will consider HIV and social skills.
• Referees need to be trained, and materials are needed, from balls to white chalk.