The voice of the African Basketball League is essential in the fight against violence against women
In a resounding resistance against gender-based violence (GBV), women basketball players are uniting to tackle this pervasive problem head-on. The activity, run in collaboration between the Basketball African League (BAL) and Speak Up Africa and its Voix EssentiELLES initiative, highlights the compelling need to tackle GBV in Africa.
Africa has one of the highest rates of gender-based violence in the world, with 31% of women reporting that they have been victims of intimate partner violence at some point in their lives. According to the International Monetary Fund, for every 1% increase in the number of women victims of gender-based violence, national economic activity falls by up to 8%. The correlation between gender-based violence and economic development underlines the urgency of combating this problem if Africa is to prosper.
December 10 not only marks Human Rights Day, but also symbolizes the end of the annual international campaign « 16 Days of Activism against Gender-based Violence against Women and Girls ». Initiated in 1991 with the inauguration of the International Women’s Leadership Institute, this campaign aims to mobilize worldwide support for the prevention and elimination of violence against women and girls. The theme of this year’s 16 Days campaign is « Investing to prevent violence against women and girls », underlining the importance of investing in different prevention strategies to stop violence in its tracks.
In solidarity with the global initiative, the Basketball African League and Speak Up Africa, through the Voix EssentiELLES initiative, have taken proactive steps to combat gender-based violence. The two organizations, which have been collaborating since the beginning of 2023, organized a gender training session for young female basketball players and launched a digital awareness campaign saying « No to GBV ». The objectives were to strengthen the sharing of experiences between Voix EssentiELLES beneficiaries in Senegal and young BAL athletes, enhance participants’ knowledge of GBV and « positive masculinity », and increase the visibility of the 16 Days of Activism through campaigns on social networks.
Gender expert Marietou DIA, mobilized for the training, pointed out that few athletes are adequately sensitized to gender-based violence during training sessions. Despite the various forms of violence prevalent in the sporting community, victims often remain silent for fear of reprisals, shame or taboo. It is crucial that the entire sporting community mobilizes effectively and fights against all forms of sexual and gender-based violence.
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Activities included a basketball camp at the NBA Academy, giving BAL the opportunity to identify talented young girls for the U23 camp in Rwanda. A gender training workshop brought together 20 young female basketball players, five female coaches from BAL and two representatives of Voix EssentiELLES from Senegal – Sylvie Diack, coordinator of the Club des jeunes filles de Kolda and Fatimata SY, activist and Secretary General of the Association Sénégalaise pour l’Avenir de la Femme et de l’Enfant (ASAFE) – as co-facilitators. Discussions focused on gender-related concepts, gender stereotypes, power dynamics, social norms, types of violence, referral structures for GBV victims and survivors, etc. Discussion groups led by Voix EssentiELLES were formed, and case studies were carried out on a specific theme to encourage the exchange and sharing of experiences, motivating players to get involved in the fight against GBV. One of the major successes of this activity was the creation of a space for dialogue and the sharing of experiences between participants. The girls benefited from practical tools for advocacy and GBV case management. In the end, they came up with slogans to say « No to GBV ».
In conclusion, it is vital to create spaces for dialogue and the sharing of experiences between women from different backgrounds. The young athletes received practical advocacy tools and learned how to deal with cases of GBV. It is imperative to put in place preventive measures, train sports supervisors and promote values of equality, respect and non-violence within the sporting community.
As the trainer aptly states, « by working together, we can help put an end to this violence and create an inclusive and safe environment for all. » Voix EssentiELLES paves the way, a sign of hope for a future free of gender-based violence.
