Sports for Women Empowerment

Sport in Bangladesh is also popular and widespread like most of the countries in the world. In the villages one might see a passel of kids kicking a football, or in some dusty alley one might see kids playing cricket. Though Bangladesh is not a major sporting power, Bangladeshi athletes and sportspersons have brought her many laurels. The most popular sport in Bangladesh is cricket, followed by football (soccer), and kabaddi, the national sport of Bangladesh. The urge to promote sports in Bangladesh, both at the Government and the Private sectors has always been there. The prevailing socio-economic condition during the early years deprived the scope to provide adequate infrastructure facilities and the appropriate education and training on sports all over, which is indispensable for promotion and development of sports. In order to meet the above demand, the concept of Sports Institute emerged to identify and nurture talented sportspersons to build up efficient coaches and other technical experts.

Women's sports include amateur and professional competitions in virtually all sports. Female participation in sports rose dramatically in the twentieth century, especially in the last quarter, reflecting changes in modern societies that emphasized gender parity. Although the level of participation and performance still varies greatly by country and by sport, women's sports have broad acceptance throughout the world, and in a few instances, such as tennis and figure skating, rival or exceed their male counterparts in popularity.

The status of women in Bangladesh remained considerably inferior to that of men. Women, in custom and practice, remained subordinate to men in almost all aspects of their lives; Most women’s lives remained centered on their traditional roles, and they had limited access to markets, productive services, education, health care, and local government. Therefore, the women’s participation in sports in Bangladesh has been insignificant and limited within the simple babyhood games within their compounds, since from the very beginning the female children have been given dolls, crockery or utensils etc. to play with, though some exceptional courageous, strong females in their adulthood have been successful in moving forward with their interests and talents in games like athletes, football, volleyball etc. thus breaking the barriers of the society to chase their dreams and participated in many international sporting events where they have been glorified with their talents. Today in the highlights Bangladesh have many successful female sports persons.

Bangladesh, as a part of Muslim world, has a highly patriarchal society in which women’s roles are heavily defined by age-old social, cultural and religious norms, and which almost always favor men. Physical exercise or participating in sports is almost prohibited for girls irrespective of age, whereas boys of the same age groups are encouraged by both schools and families to participate. A strong cultural biasness exists that lead men and women to develop different attitudes towards sports. Due to stereotypical attitudes and values, sports institutions are entirely male dominated. From the very beginning, female children are given dolls, crockery, utensils etc. to play with, and eventually it moulds their future behavior and lifestyle.

Why NUK choose Sports as a tool for Women’s Empowerment

NUK uses sports as strong medium of women’s empowerment because taking part in sports activities help humans to build self-esteem, reach their full potential, and promote equity between men and women. Sports can challenge traditional male dominated norms of our society. Aside from the obvious health benefits of physical activities, women’s involvement in sports such as cricket, karate and football showcases women’s sporting abilities, challenging discriminatory social norms and establishing an enabling environment for gender equality and the empowerment of women. To conceptualize this issue, NUK conducted two research projects (with assistance from Women Win) on the overall situation of women in sports. The research projects have generated a lot of attention and enthusiasm towards mainstreaming women in sports and strengthening national efforts towards re-activating the spirit of sports for nation building.

NUK’s initiatives to reduce the gender stereotypes in Sports:

 Research on National Sports life of Bangladeshi women from Gender perspective; and Role & Effectiveness of Physical Education College in terms of Sports in Education and Development of Bangladesh

 Enhance and encourage Outdoor Sports & Self-Defence Skills among female students of Secondary Schools

 Capacity Building of Physical Education Instructors

 Educate Female students on Gender & Human Rights

 Policy Advocacy, lobbying & Networking with Public & Private Sports Agencies for promotion of sports for women at national level

 Celebration of International Women’s Day by award giving ceremony to renowned women sports personalities

The Sports and Physical Activities for Women’s Empowerment (SPAWE) project funded by Women Win thus equips women and young girls with self security skills, challenging and changing gender stereotypes and discrimination in sports which are considered to be only for males and not suitable activities for women to undertake in public spaces. The program encourages and facilitates women’s participation in sporting activities such as Karate, cricket and football sports which are normally considered a domain solely for their male counterparts. Approximately 1800 girls have participated in the project, each receiving 3 months sport training and coaching.

Impact of the sports program of NUK:

Sports program of NUK has long-term impacts on both the individual participants and the communities they belong to. Besides learning healthy, new and innovative outdoor activities, the participating girls also have undergone significant personal developments. Moreover, the activities have taught them lesson of valuable leadership and teamwork skills which they will be able to carry with them into their family as well as professional life. Furthermore, the communities in which the participating girls live have benefited from their fellow villagers participation in sports. The successes of the participants have proved their respective societies that women, just like men, are not only capable sportspeople but also have rights to participate and do better in sports.

NUK lend a hand in “Participation of women in sports”

NUK conducted a research on “National Sports life of Bangladeshi women from Gender perspective”. The proposed study under this methodological framework, consist of relevant literature review and other important documents, questionnaires containing important variables in accordance with the scope and purpose of the study have been developed and some qualitative tools including FGD (Focus Group Discussion) in-depth interview guidelines, checklist for the case study have also been determined. It can be noted here that the use of such combined methods enable in assessing the perception and the views of the target groups in addition to get quantitative picture of the situation. Data has been collected from all six divisional areas of Bangladesh.

During this research, 3 FGDs (Focus Group Discussion) have been conducted with the women sports personalities, girl students of BKSP and Ministry of Youth and Sports. Interview with female sports personalities, sports organizations such as Bangladesh Krira Shikka Protisthan (BKSP), Bangladesh Olympic Association (BOA), National Women’s Sports Federation and National Sports Council (NSC), National Curriculum and Textbook Board have also been carried out.

Carried out Activities:

Acts of violence targeted towards adolescent girls and women are regular phenomenon in Bangladesh. These occur in the form of rape and other sexual abuses such as human trafficking, prostitution, domestic violence, dowry related deaths etc. Different kinds of violence, physical and emotional abuses that are perpetrated against adolescent girls, affect them physically and mentally; which sometimes result to deaths. Culture silence prevents women from speaking out against their attackers. These incidents make girls feel scared, insecure and uncomfortable being outside, as such their attendance rates at schools drops.

The karate training (Marshal Art) organized by NUK provides self security and fosters attitudes of self–protection and confidence in women. By participating in these activities they develop into self reliant and be able to protect themselves from eve-teasing, and attempts of physical violence by developing virtues such as courage, mental strength and discipline. These girls learn that avoiding abusers and bullies is obviously not an effective solution; but sports such as karate will help them to defend themselves and remove their feeling of vulnerability. Furthermore, increased confidence will allow them to remain calm during difficult situations, that way they can assess the situation clearly and act appropriately. For instance, the Karate training for the young women in the community ensures their safe mobility to and from schools and equips them with the skills and confidence to protect themselves from various forms of physical violence and sexual harassments.

For the implementation of the objective of this project NUK inaugurated Karate training at Kishoreganj with the female students of secondary schools. The Program was held on 14 the May, 2009 at District Office Auditorium Kishoreganj. District Commissioner of Kishoreganj Mr. Shah Kamal inaugurated the karate training. Thirty female students of four schools participated in the training. The duration of the training is three months and the classes will be held two days of every week. Kamrunnahar Shathi, the karate trainer will perform the duty of the trainer. The inaugurated program was presided by Ms. Mashuda Khatun Shefali, Executive Director, and Nari Uddug Kendra (NUK). Police Super of Kishoreganj Mr. Bhanu Lal Das, ADC (Education & Development), Mr. Nuruzzaman and Secretary of Zilla Mohila Krira Shongstha Adv. Maya Bhoumic contributed their valuable speech in the program.

NUK is arranging karate training sessions at Government and Non-government Educational Institutions in Dhaka and Kishoreganj.

NUK selected three (3) female teachers from Kishoreganj district and collected their bio-data who have been chosen based on their merit the award with the stipend. Necessary contacts with the administration department of the Physical training College have been made thereafter for supporting and completing the admission process. NUK is carrying out all expenses including food and lodging associated in completion of this one year stipend for these selected students. The main objective of offering this stipend is that these three female teachers when in their turn would be employed in any school, based on the physical training they are receiving would be able to create or bring about a favorable environment in those perspective school environments, among the female students.

NUK is arranging day long training sessions on “Gender and Human rights in Sports” for the teachers and students of the Government owned health Education College as well as other Educational Institutions in Dhaka and other districts.

The opening training session was inaugurated by the Director, Sports Directorate Mr. Ananda Chandra Bishwas, he, in Bangladesh’s context discussed the reasons of the diffident system of physical education both female and male teachers and facts for the female backward thinking and the ways to make them move forward. The objective of this training from gender perspective is to create awareness and establish the importance of inclusion of the gender and Human Rights perspective among other Government physical education Colleges in Bangladesh. Thus NUK in cooperation with other physical colleges’ female and male teachers arranged this training program. Mashuda Khatun Shefali, Executive Director of NUK performed the function of the main instructor.