Celebrating and empowering girls

Encouraging girls to participate in sports will result in them having more control over their lives, especially during adolescence when they are increasingly pressured into sexual activity, early marriage, and even childbearing. Photo: Filepic

The International Day of the Girl Virtual Sports Festival will take place on Oct 24 from 2pm to 3.30pm. Organised by the Women’s Aid Organisation (WAO) with the support of the Embassy of The Netherlands in Malaysia, the virtual festival aims to empower girls through sports as well as encourage more girls to participate in sports.

The virtual sports festival is a key event of WAO’s #GirlsForGoals campaign to create safe spaces for teenage girls from the ages 12 to 17, through a peer-led, girl-only network called GirlsTakeover! where girls can engage and connect with their peers, as well as explore relevant issues.

According to WAO, sports is an important tool in countering society’s discrimination and disempowerment that girls often face. Encouraging girls to participate in sports will result in them having more control over their lives, especially during adolescence when they are increasingly pressured into sexual activity, early marriage, and even childbearing. Sports also exposes girls to more female role models, and participation in sports activities helps girls to challenge gender stereotypes, such as that boys are stronger and better at sports.

Through sports, girls can build up self-esteem and confidence, as well as develop a healthy respect for their bodies. Sports also helps foster skills such as self-sufficiency, independence, and leadership.

Ambassador of The Netherlands to Malaysia Aart Jacobi says: “There are no limits for girls to reach their goals in life. Gender equality is essential in overcoming challenges girls face worldwide. Girls’ Day is necessary and important because there is still gender inequality and we should tackle this from a young age. We wish girls worldwide equal chances to reach their life goals.”

Some highlights of the virtual sports festival include inspiring messages on girls’ sports empowerment from athletes, such as the Malaysian national cricket team, Malaysian women’s national rugby team, Olympic-qualifying gymnast Farah Ann Abdul Hadi, and world-renowned squash icon Nicol Ann David.

Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) Children’s Commissioner Professor Dato Noor Aziah Mohd Awal, will also be speaking at the festival, which features performances, a quiz, and a lucky draw.

The event is free. To register, go to: BIT.LY/WAOFEST