16 days of activism – Voix Essentielles x Basketball Africa League

Each year, the 16 Days of Activism campaign (from November 25 to December 10) provides an opportunity to highlight initiatives and approaches that contribute to the reduction and eradication of gender-based violence (GBV) in our communities.

On December 7 and 8, 2024, Speak Up Africa and the Basketball Africa League (BAL) renewed their commitment to ending gender-based violence by organizing the second edition of their joint action to spotlight the importance of youth leadership and violence prevention in sports. The two-day event brought together young female basketball players, aged 10 to 23, for an engaging and educational experience that transcended sports, showcasing how empowerment and awareness can lead to societal change.

Acknowledging the transformative potential of sports, Speak Up Africa and BAL designed an initiative leveraging basketball as a platform to promote leadership and raise awareness among young girls about GBV. Three leaders from the Voix EssentiELLEs network—Sylvie Diack from “Club de Jeunes filles de Kolda”, Fatoumata Sy from “Association Sénégalaise pour l’Avenir de la Femme et de l’Enfant”, and Mbissine Ndior from “Réseau des Jeunes pour la Promotion de l’Abandon des Mutilations Génitales Féminines et des Mariages d’Enfants (RJPA-MGF-ME)”—played a key role as workshop leaders during the awareness sessions. These inspiring women brought their extensive experience in youth mobilization and intergenerational dialogue to the court, creating a unique space where education meets empowerment.

Highlighting Women’s Voices and Expertise

The involvement of Voix EssentiELLEs members emphasized the importance of prioritizing women’s voices and expertise in efforts to create inclusive and equitable communities. The workshop leaders focused on participatory activities and concrete examples to ensure that young participants could effectively identify and grasp the lessons.

On the first day, 30 young women aged 18 to 23 explored the many forms, signs, and impacts of GBV, as well as strategies to foster safe and supportive environments in sports, understanding concepts such as boundaries and consent.

On the second day, a younger group of 85 girls aged 10 to 15 joined the camp to gain the tools needed to advocate for themselves both on and off the court. Through exercises designed to identify situations in their daily practice where discrimination, abuse, or violence could occur, these young athletes showcased their confidence and strength as emerging champions of change within their communities.

Basketball served as a unifying force and a tool for solidarity throughout the event, teaching teamwork, communication, and advocacy. With the support of Voix EssentiELLEs, the players not only learned about gender-based violence and leadership but also witnessed firsthand how other women leaders drive change in their communities.

Inspiring the Next Generation

By the end of the event, the young athletes left with more than just improved basketball skills. They gained knowledge, inspiration, and a renewed determination to advocate for equality and combat violence in all its forms. The facilitators from Voix EssentiELLEs demonstrated that empowering young girls goes beyond the classroom or the court—it’s about equipping them with the skills and confidence to lead the change they want to see.

Together, Speak Up Africa and the Basketball Africa League showcased how organizations with shared values can amplify their impact by combining their resources, expertise, and platforms.