What is Go Sisters?

Go Sisters is a highly successful ‘girls empowerment through sport’ programme in Zambia. It is organised by the EduSport Foundation , a non-government organisation. Go Sisters has been running since 2002, it has grown to include communities across Zambia and is active in 4 provinces. An annual sports tournament is held to bring together girls to participate in football, netball and basketball competitions. In 2007 over 400 girls participated in this 4-day event. The Go Sisters programme is best known for its use of football to engage girls in an active lifestyle and promote their ability to fulfil their potential both academically and in the field of sport.

Zambia has been devastated by HIV/AIDS. Approximately 20% of the population are infected many of whom are unaware they carry the virus. Go Sisters uses ‘Kicking Aids Out!’ activities (games designed to educate on HIV/AIDS awareness and prevention) within their training sessions and at their tournaments to allow girls to come together and learn vital facts about the disease and how toprotect themselves against transmission. Kicking Aids Out games are incorporated as part of teams warm up and cool down time, in which messages on HIV/AIDS, life skills and human rights are passed to the participants in a fun and inclusive way.

Zambian culture means that many females face barriers to participation in formal education and society at large. Many assume responsibility for family members at a young age and as such are withdrawn from school before they complete a basic level of education. Unfortunately many young girls are also lured into sexual activity, which has devastating health and social consequences. The Go Sisters programme informs all its participants of their human rights. Namely the right to primary education, time for rest and play and also to live in control of their own body. Whilst the gender balance has been changing in Western society many young girls in Zambia, and across Africa, face the challenge of being uneducated and having the ability to express their human rights.

Finally, the Go Sisters programme encourages girls to participate in sport. Many young girls who have developed their football skills through their involvement in Go Sisters have gone on to represent Zambia in their national team.