With over a decade of experience using our model of talent, education and leadership development to help boys reach their true potential we now believe that it is time to take our dream to the next level and include girls in our programme. Sport has become a recognised medium for the empowerment of girls in society and, as such, the benefits of a girls’ football programme will go far beyond the pitch.
There are approximately 1.2 million females between the ages of 10 and 16 in Ghana and whilst girls’ football teams do exist, the boys’ teams significantly outnumber them and the majority of girls are not given any opportunity to play beyond the unstructured street football that takes place across the country. Across much of the developing world, by the time a girl is 12, she is expected to concentrate on her orthodox role within the family, looking after her siblings and contributing to the running of the household. This is certainly true of much of Ghana where girls face pressure to give up playing any form of sport and very often their education to perform their duties. Only 43% of girls in Ghana are able to complete secondary school primarily because the cost is beyond their families’ means and sons will more often that not be prioritised in the family structure.
Within this context, Right to Dream recognises the power of football and the world of opportunities that the sport and education can open up for girls, particularly in Africa, where gender inequality is significant. Through attending the Right to Dream Academy, these girls will gain a sense of equality and empowerment within their society. Right to Dream can not only look to identify the true football talent in Ghana but to also; redefine the role of girls in Ghanaian society by challenging social stereotypes, which often prevent equality in areas such as education, healthcare and employment; empower girls as leaders of change and establish some of the most powerful role models in African society; use the Academy as a platform, to promote and educate African society on gender issues and advocate for women’s rights.
The initial matriculation of girls into the Right to Dream Academy will take place in 2012 and will consist of a mixed aged group of 16 girls from 10 to 13 years. The girls’ programme will follow our current model with the girls integrating into our existing Academy school, receiving specialist football training and being given expert guidance on developing their personal characters and leadership skills.
Fundraising for the girls’ programme has already begun but we have a long way to go and require your support to make this happen. If you would like to find out more information as to how you can become involved then please email
anna.hegley@righttodream.com or visit our
donate page for further information.