ActivateHer is a sports and development initiative based in Khayelitsha, the largest township in Cape Town, South Africa. ActivateHer leverages sport as a catalyst to empower girls and young women, identifying the power of sport and play to further enhance physical and mental development. Through sport and educational sessions, ActivateHer provides girls with the tools to empower themselves and their communities.
According to the Indigo Wellness Index, South Africa is the unhealthiest country in the world, leaving girls with little access to quality heath care and education. This leaves them at a disadvantage given that they are disproportionately affected by gender based violence, teenage pregnancy and HIV. Furthermore, 70% of the population in Khayelitsha live on $8 a day or less, meaning that the girls are provided with limited opportunities to learn and play.
ActivateHer aims to address this problem by offering a safe and stable environment for girls and young women. By combining sporting activities with educational sessions, ActivateHer provides opportunities for these girls to learn about themselves, their bodies and their rights as well as increasing their self-confidence. Additionally, ActivateHer gives life skill sessions, teaching girls key skills such as communication and goal setting, which has a positive effect on their future employability.
By participating in the project, the ActivateHer girls will better understand their bodies, have increased self-esteem and feel empowered and confident as they transition through adolescence. Furthermore, the project aims to encourage the girls to live healthy, active lives beyond the program, which will decrease the girls' risk of health issues later on in life.
