September 6, 2026
Using Sport to Empower Girls
When girls play, they build confidence, find their voice and gain the strength to make informed choices about their lives and future.
In Uganda, many girls face challenges that affect how they see themselves, how confident they feel, and how freely they can express their views. For some, these challenges make it difficult to speak up, take part in decision-making, or make informed choices about their health, education, relationships and future.
This is an area that has continued to concern Zannya Africa Foundation (ZAF). Through its programs, ZAF is working to create opportunities where girls can feel confident, understand their worth and have the courage to make decisions that can positively influence their lives.
One of the strongest tools ZAF uses to reach and empower girls is sport.
Sport brings girls together in a way that is enjoyable, practical and engaging. On the field, girls get the opportunity to participate, communicate, work as a team and take on responsibilities. They learn to trust themselves, handle challenges and support one another. These experiences may look simple during a game, but they can have a much bigger impact on how a girl carries herself outside the field.
Through sport, ZAF creates spaces where girls can build self-esteem and confidence while also accessing information and guidance on issues that affect their lives. As their confidence grows, girls are better able to speak for themselves, ask questions, seek the right information and make informed decisions.
Sport can also open doors to opportunities beyond the game. The teamwork, leadership, communication, discipline and problem-solving skills developed through sport can support girls in school, employment, entrepreneurship and other livelihood opportunities.
For ZAF, Sports for Enhanced Livelihoods is therefore not just about playing sports. It is about using sport to reach girls, build their confidence, develop their abilities and give them a stronger voice in their own lives.
We believe that when a girl gains confidence in herself, she is more likely to believe in her abilities, make informed choices and see possibilities for her future. Through sport, ZAF is creating those opportunities one girl, one team and one community at a time.
