Using sport as one of the most powerful platforms for promoting gender equality and empowering young women and girls, Thomas Mogadime and the Indawo Yosizo Foundation hosted a netball tournament on Saturday, September 3.
Teams from the Highlanders Netball Club, Selimathunzi Netball Club, Glam Squad Netball Club, Puzzle Netball Club, Future Stars Netball Club and Killers Netball Club participated in the day’s tournament.
Mogadime who is the social crime prevention and communication officer for Bethal police and Indawo Yosizo Foundation in partnership with police, Thomas Heights, Men for change, Women’s Network, CPF and Philasande, which is a non-profitable organization, hosted the netball tournament with the aim and purpose of:
• Empowering young women and girls through sports.
• Raising awareness on crime prevention among young women and girls.
• Reducing the youth’s involvement in crime as perpetrators and or as victims.
• Addressing women’s development and the challenges in that regard.
• Addressing gender-based violence and femicide through the six pillar approach of the police.
• Developing young women and girls into productive crime prevention catalysts.
• Promoting body consciousness, which has been shown to reduce rates of teenage pregnancy.
• Producing positive young role models who will portray a positive image of South African citizens.
Mogadime stated that participation in sports can help to build self-confidence, a crucial component in empowering girls and young women to take on new roles and to challenge the barriers that they encounter.
“Sport is empowering, particularly for girls, and challenges gender norms. Sports participation offers girls an opportunity to build their self-esteem, courage and self-efficacy.
“It is a place where they can take up leadership positions and through sports programmes, their beliefs and ability increase. It encourages them to take initiative, raise their voices and attempt things they never assumed were possible,” said Mogadime.
Future Stars Netball Club faced Puzzled Netball Club in the finals.
Future Stars defeated Puzzles by 17-15 and were crowned champions of the tournament.
“Sport is a powerful tool and platform to strengthen social ties, networks and engages the community,” said Mogadime.