The project will work with 35 young boys in Gulu District to expand football to both in-school and out-of school girls and use games to raise awareness about HIV/AIDS amongst their members. Talking about such difficult topics as HIV/AIDS/STIs and sex with youth requires appropriate - and attractive - entry points. Sport can tackle factors that contribute to the spread of HIV/AIDS by providing knowledge, life skills, access to services, and safe and supportive environments.
Young boys, girls and women lives are defined by social decay, insecurity, poverty and lack of public services. Research shows adolescent are twice likely to die or develop health complications while giving birth because their bodies are not prepared to have children. According to the Uganda Family Planning Association's Gulu branch, four out of 10 teenage girls in 10 teenagers is HIV-positive. Only 12 per cent of teenagers use contraceptives.
The structural component of the project covers the sports-related activities: the establishment of the league; playing friendly matches with sister teams in other areas where football has been underway already; training youth referees; and conducting a year-end district-wide tournament. There would also be a strong emphasis on content; that is, training both adult and youth coaches on HIV/AIDS and life-skills, for them to then train their players and peers respectively on the same subject.
An active football association for both in-school and out-of-school girls, whereby they play football during regular training, at league matches and in tournaments Capacity of youth, out-of-school youth, and women built to organize tournaments, referee matches and coach teams Capacity of youth, out-of-school youth, and women built to act as peer educators on life skills and HIV/AIDS Active youth clubs that promote HIV-free status through community theatre, videos, etc.
