Just Play programme inclusive of women

 PROVIDING a safe environment for young girls to take part in physical activity, the Oceania Football ConFederation’s head of social responsibility and international relations Franck Castillo said it was a chance to empower women.

He said the Just Play Programme had four objectives as it worked to make social change throughout the region, one of which is the promotion of gender equality.

With March 8 2014 marking International Women’s Day, the inroads this programme makes year-round in gender equality and female empowerment comes under the spotlight.

Castillo said Just Play was designed and monitored by the OFC social responsibility department, in partnership with the Australian Government through the Australian Sports Commission, Football Federation Australia and UEFA, and new partner UNICEF.

Further to this, the chance to become community leaders was on offer to women throughout the region.

Of the 11 Just Play project managers in OFC’s member associations, six are women. 

This is on top of the development officers and instructors, 1,000  of the 2,600  are women.

This was helped by making a requirement of the programme in any community or school having one of the two teachers or volunteers a female.

Castillo said this not only provided leadership positions for women, but also helped to change perceptions toward such a roles.