Breaking Barriers: African Women in Sport Lead the Charge for Change

This International Women’s Day, we celebrate the unwavering spirit of African women who are reshaping the landscape of sports and social change. In Saly, Senegal, from February 10-14, a group of remarkable women gathered, not just as participants in a workshop but as architects of a movement. These are not just coaches or community leaders, they are changemakers, pioneers from Senegal, Niger, Côte d'Ivoire, Bénin, and Gabon, each carrying the weight of their nation’s struggles and the determination to reshape the narrative of women in sport.

The Female Multiplier Workshop (Refresher) was not just another training. It was a culmination of nine months of relentless dedication - an intensive continuation of an initiative that introduced Sport for Development (S4D) as a powerful tool for social change. These women, founders of grassroots organizations, had been using sports like basketball, football, volleyball, taekwondo, boxing, health, and fitness as vehicles for sensitization, inclusion, and breaking deep-rooted stereotypes.

But this gathering was about more than just refining facilitation techniques. It was a moment of reflection, a deep dive into best practices, challenges, and the realities of implementing S4D in communities where female participation in sports is still met with resistance. Conversations stretched beyond the field touching on sports in relation to pre- and post-child delivery, the impact of depigmentation in athletics, and most importantly, strengthening the coaching skills necessary to bring the latest S4D methodologies to life, especially with the newly introduced 5th S4D booklet on gender equality and inclusion.

Over five days, unity blossomed, heartfelt tears were shed, victories celebrated, and a shared passion was kindled. This wasn’t just another training: it was a call to action, a moment of reckoning. As the workshop came to an emotional close, certificates in hand and smiles beaming with pride, one message resonated louder than any other:

"Let’s be the change we want to see out there."

The project may be ending, but these women? Their work is just beginning. And the flame they carry is far from burning out.