Kenya joins the inaugural Africa Women’s Cup in Tanzania to combat gender-based violence through football.
Kenya is set to participate in the inaugural Africa Women’s Cup styled after the Homeless World Cup taking place in Arusha, Tanzania from June 29 to June 30, 2024.
This groundbreaking event, hosted by Future Stars Academy, will bring together eight nations including Kenya, Malawi, Namibia, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
The tournament marks a significant milestone as it is the first-ever Africa Women’s Homeless World Cup event.
Zambia face Kenya in the COSAFA Cup battling recent poor form as they aim for an unprecedented third consecutive title.
It serves as a precursor to the global Homeless World Cup scheduled for September in Seoul, South Korea.
For Kenya, the competition is more than just about winning; it’s about showcasing strength, overcoming challenges, and driving change through sports in the face of adversity.
Organized under the aegis of the Homeless World Cup Foundation, the event aims to leverage the universal appeal of football to tackle one of the most severe global issues—gender-based violence (GBV).
Kenya’s face an acid test in their quest for COSAFA Cup glory as they start the tournament with a match against seven-time champions Zambia.
Amidst the ongoing recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, which exacerbated vulnerabilities and increased incidents of GBV, this tournament provides a platform for advocacy and empowerment.
According to a 2020 MEA report, such conditions have heightened the risks, making initiatives like this more crucial than ever.
The team’s journey to Arusha begins on June 28, a day before the tournament kicks off.
President Ruto to soon address the nation, outlining government’s next steps after withdrawing controversial Finance Bill 2024 amid protests.
Preparations are in full swing, with the Kenyan squad, particularly excited following the recent qualification of Kenya’s under-17 female team for the world cup.
Vijana Amani Pamoja (VAP), one of the key partners in this project along with organizations from Zambia, Tanzania, and Zimbabwe, is spearheading the final preparations.
The partners have developed a tailored play-based curriculum that addresses GBV prevention and response while also promoting psychosocial support and livelihood empowerment.
Revealing which players made Pulse Sports Kenya’s 2023/2024 team of the season:
The two-year project implemented by these partners not only focuses on sports but also creates safe spaces for women to engage in dialogue and challenge deeply entrenched gender norms and stereotypes that fuel GBV. By doing so, it aims to provide a voice to survivors and promote positive masculinity and gender socialization.
The Africa Women’s Cup is envisioned as a celebration of African women in sports and a showcase of football’s capacity to combat GBV across borders.
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Source link : https://www.pulsesports.co.ke/football/story/kenya-to-compete-in-africa-womens-cup-in-tanzania-for-homeless-2024062708001061543
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Publish date : 2024-06-27 08:17:53
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