Empowering Women Through Football in Colombia

The project aimed at empowering young women in Tumaco, Nariño, through football has been progressing successfully. On December 5th, 2024, we organized a workshop for 17 participants, aged 12 to 14, where we combined physical activity with gender-focused reflection. The workshop, supported by the "PazA la Mochila" methodology, used football as a vehicle for teaching empowerment, self-expression, and the importance of women's roles in society. The event focused on fostering awareness about female defenders of the environment, with participants engaging in creative activities to explore their connections to the land and women’s resilience.

In this session, participants reflected on gender and resilience through the stories of five women who have worked for peace and environmental preservation. They were encouraged to connect emotionally with the issues discussed, with many of them relating to the struggles faced by women in their own community. The methodology encouraged introspection, and the group explored themes of self-image and body connection in a safe and supportive environment, particularly focusing on emotional well-being and healthy coping mechanisms.

Overall, the workshop was a meaningful experience for both the participants and facilitators. The young women expressed a desire for more spaces like this to continue discussing and exploring women's roles in their communities, while also enhancing their self-esteem and knowledge of their rights. This initiative is a part of a larger effort to create lasting change by using football as a tool for social empowerment in Tumaco.