In September 2023, EPTF launched the “Kick for Empowerment: SHE SOARS” community program, funded by the FIFA Foundation. This initiative focuses on empowering adolescent girls, both in school and out of school, in Suna East, Migori.
The program addresses critical challenges identified in the county’s Integrated Development Plan, including limited access to education, early pregnancies, child marriages, high HIV/AIDS prevalence, and youth unemployment. These issues significantly contribute to poverty within Migori County, making this intervention vital for the community’s development.
To date, the initiative has successfully established 12 football teams across four wards, fostering teamwork, leadership, and confidence among participants. By participating in football, these girls are breaking gender stereotypes and acquiring essential life skills such as teamwork, leadership, and physical fitness—skills that extend far beyond the football field.
In addition to sports, the program has implemented educational activities on proper nutrition and has provided free screening for breast and cervical cancer, further promoting the girls’ health and well-being.
A key component of the initiative is vocational skills training for at least 100 girls and young women, focusing on entrepreneurship, financial literacy, and digital literacy. This training aims to enhance their economic independence and equip them with valuable skills for the modern job market.
The program has also organized three community engagement activities, including Chiefs’ Barazas and workshops for teachers and local leaders, reaching approximately 500 community members. These sessions have raised awareness about critical issues such as access to education, teenage pregnancies, child marriages, HIV/AIDS, and cultural barriers that hinder girls from pursuing education.
By addressing these multifaceted challenges, the “Kick for Empowerment: SHE SOARS” initiative is driving lasting, positive change in the lives of marginalized girls. It aims to improve their overall well-being and prospects, empowering them to break free from cycles of poverty and inequality.