Empower Girls through Sports and Education

Poverty and gender-based violence in South Africa’s townships
In the Khayelitsha township, the population’s majority lives in informal dwellings, many have no access to basic needs such as water or sanitation. In connection with poverty there are high rates of crime, violence and substance abuse. One of the major problems in the community is the lack of socio-cultural and economic opportunities – in particular for girls and young women.

Many girls living in the area are faced with gender-based violence on a daily basis. Furthermore, they are denied the personal, social and educational development they require to lead change in their communities and achieve sustainable development through which girls and young women can reach their full potential.

Empowering girls to become leaders for social change
The Boxgirls project seeks to build safe communities through the empowerment of young women and girls and the engagement of the men and boys around them. Boxgirls recognizes that gender-based violence and violence in schools are major barriers to education for many girls around the world. Boxgirls supports girls and young women in developing life skills, learning self-defence and de-escalation strategies and becoming leaders in their schools and communities. Meanwhile, we are cooperating with 19 primary schools and directly impact the lives of 850 girls in Khayelitsha.

Thanks to your ongoing support we could carry out community events within the scope of this micro-project in order to point out the importance of ending gender-based violence and providing safe spaces and education for girls and young women in South Africa. More information regarding the Boxgirls project you could find under https://www.globalgiving.org/projects/boxgirls-international-start/

Best wishes and lots of thanks,

Your Boxgirls Team