In economically disadvantaged communities, especially in urban areas, there is a lack of sufficient spaces to engage in sport. Compounding the issue of limited resources is the fact that those fields and courts are often over-used in high-density areas. There is typically a hierarchy for access to athletic space, and girls’ sport teams are often at the bottom. Programme partners report girls’ football events being cancelled without notice to accommodate boys and men who show up to play casual games on the fields. In some cultures or conflict regions, it may be inappropriate or too dangerous for girls to play outside, therefore confining them to an even smaller pool of indoor spaces.
Recommendations:
- Work with the local government to seek alternate fields or find times when fields are not being used.
- Know who makes the decisions regarding field use in a community, especially in urban areas.
- Include field space in the programme’s budget to ensure that the girls have the space they need to play comfortably. Otherwise, make arrangements for girls to have access to free field space.
- Create or build mobile equipment that you can take with you when done playing.
- Partner with local schools and ask to use field space on days when school is not in session. Most times, school fields are empty on weekends or during holidays when children are out of school.