This project empowers vulnerable 500 girls and youth in Argentina, giving access to sport, to end violence, discrimination and disadvantage, proving that sport can change the world.
This 2020 has been a very challenging year for everyone. Social isolation has forced over 2 billion children and young people in the world to stay home. This has manifold consequences, including a negative impact on everybody’s social, mental and physical well-being. Social organizations and schools have been forced to close their doors, losing safe and inclusive spaces where many find support and assistance. The current crisis is even more concerning for low-income households, as levels of violence increase, putting many people’s physical, mental and social health at risk.
Moreover, it is important to consider that women and girls suffer disproportionately, as their risk of exposure to violence, including physical, sexual and physical abuse, and exploitation only rises.
Before this pandemic, there was already a tendency of a lack of physical activity in girls. This has only accentuated with social isolation measures.
Overall, in this context of social and economic unrest, the circumstances of vulnerable girls in particular, only aggravates.
As the world begins to recover from the Covid-19 crisis, we believe it will be vital to use sport as a powerful tool to start to rebuild our communities. Sport develops confidence and leadership skills for girls so that they become agents of change. Laureus works to empower girls while teaching them their rights to education, self-determination, financial independence, respect and a life free of violence. Through the use of sport, we seek to break gender stereotypes about the participation of girls in predominantly masculine spaces, in order to make them feel that they are valuable members of the community, with decision-making power in their hands to deal with the problems that affect them.
Confident, educated, healthy and active girl children will be able to pursue higher education and job opportunities in the fields of their choice. They will be pillars of support for their home, parents and the community. Gender skewing in the community will recede over time. Importantly, it also ensures that the next generation gets a healthy and active life, and therefore a better life.
Join us to raise further funds to support the amazing sport for development and community sports organisations that care for thousands of girls in Argentina.
