A soccer field seems an unlikely venue for implementing the reproductive health and population agenda. Picture that field overrun with adolescent girls, however—girls mastering skills, gaining respect for their bodies, demonstrating achievement to their communities—and the concept of sport as an intervention becomes clearer.
In a recent commentary, Population Council associate Martha Brady sets forth an argument for sports programs as a way to empower and inform girls, a goal assuming prominence in the Council and other non-governmental organizations concerned with women's rights and human development.
"Girls are under tremendous pressure to begin sexual activity and childbearing early. We must address the whole girl and give her the skills and knowledge she needs to exert more control over her life. It makes sense to reach girls at work, school, and play," says Brady.
A report by the U.S. President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports showed that in comparison to sedentary girls, those who engage in sports programs or regular physical activity do better academically, register lower pregnancy rates, and have a reduced risk of incurring chronic diseases as adults. Another striking conclusion was that regular physical activity can enhance girls' mental health.
Similarly, a study commissioned by the Women's Sports Foundation found that American girls who play sports tend to begin sexual activity later, have fewer sexual partners, use contraception more—particularly condoms—and are less likely to get pregnant than those not involved in sports.
In her commentary, Brady poses several questions about the sociocultural context of sports participation for girls. Do sports programs broaden community perceptions about appropriate roles and behavior? Do they encourage fortifying peer relationships? Can they be used to convey key health messages? Or for that matter, messages about and training in life skills?
Brady points out that "Sports and recreation programs . . . are an untapped, yet potentially important locus" for intervention. The Council is active, for example, in Vietnam, training soccer coaches to counsel youth about preventing HIV infection.
Focused on physical accomplishment, sports programs are also a natural setting for presenting a holistic view of health, Brady points out, adding that this may be a more politically palatable intervention than a narrow focus on contraceptive services.
Using recreation and sports programs as vehicles to move girls toward healthier futures is Brady's current focus. Many developing countries have ministries of youth and sports, and many nongovernmental organizations and community development groups are springing up around the idea of sports as an agent for physical, mental, and social well-being.
"Sports associations are places where adolescents come together in a relaxed, informal setting," she explains. "We can build on the infrastructure of a pre-existing organization."
Brady and Banu Khan of the Council's Nairobi, Kenya office aided the Mathare Youth Sports Association (MYSA) in developing a gender awareness program. Perhaps the largest youth group in Africa, the MYSA has brought together 10,000 adolescent boys and girls who live in slums to play soccer and engage in community development projects. The team of Council staff and MYSA participants also called on the local Gender Training Center to help design the content of the three-day program, which has been given so far to two groups of 25 adolescents at MYSA headquarters.
"We played word games, conducted role playing exercises, and asked questions about attitudes," Brady says "For example, we asked, 'If your friend told you she was pregnant, could not afford a baby, and wanted to get an abortion, what would you advise?' Through such questions, we learn about the constraints and realities of adolescents' lives. This information can serve as a basis for services and programs tailored to help them prevent or address common problems."
Based on the enthusiastic response, Council staff and MYSA youth developed a proposal to bring the workshops to branch MYSA groups. The proposal includes developing a database about members and designing a girls' leadership program. "Some girls are entering the higher ranks of MYSA and we feel it's important to encourage more to do so," Brady comments.
MYSA has a unique and diverse roster of programs, among them a photodocumentary project for youth and an HIV-awareness course, conducted by peer educators.
"One of the girls' soccer teams traveled to Norway and won a bronze medal. Their prize was a dump truck to aid their garbage cleaning efforts. These are unusual and rewarding experiences girls would not otherwise have. And they are changing boys' opinions of what is acceptable for girls to do," says Brady.
Source
Brady, Martha. 1998. "Laying the foundation for girls' healthy futures: Can sports play a role?" Studies in Family Planning 29(1): 79–82. (PDF)
Outside funding
Cabot Family Charitable Trust, The World Bank
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