Girls can certainly play football too!

It may be hard to believe but gender bias, gender inequality still exists in 2022.  In many cultures male dominance is very much the norm.  Thankfully there are people out there doing hard work at trying to change this outdated social status.  

In 2021, men and women from Cambodia’s Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport (MOEYS) participated in training to discuss gender equity and solutions to help close the gender divide in society.  

Many of the schools in the Cambodia villages have football teams but often sports are offered for boys and not the girls.  PeopleStories strongly believes in gender equality, too.  Physical education is a part of quality education.  Sports education gives plenty of benefits not only in physical growth but soft skills like teamwork, confidence building, etc. 

We’re very excited to host a football tournament again this year and the grand final will be on May 28th.  Our love for sports is strong and our love for gender equality is even stronger!  In agreement with our supporting schools, girls football teams were established and the girls are competing in our tournament too!

Teacher Tip from our local team started training girl players from Phum Ou primary school, getting them prepared for the football tournament.  Tip shared that this was his first experience in establishing a girl football team and his observations of the girls, many playing football for the first time, said, “Some of the girls look so excited and some extremely focused.”  It is Tip’s hope that the boys and girls will be happy and enjoy the tournament.  ​

From a teacher’s perspective, Tip expressed his pride when he saw his students learning and succeeding and said, “When my children or students learn happily and safely from my teaching, I feel happy as well and that is my success.”

Victoria Miloschewsky, PeopleStories CEO & Founder reminds us that we’re all about helping children complete school and pursue their dreams.  She excitedly shared, “I truly hope that this football tournament is making a milestone for greater equality in the rural community we serve.  For those girls, as well as the boys, out there, I hope you have the courage to stand firm in what you believe and have the strength to chase after your dreams!  I can’t wait to see you all at the football ground and on the grand finale day!”

In the 2021 training MOEYS attendees participated in, Cambodia’s Director of the Policy Department, Ms. Bo Chankoulika said, “I would like to see a time when factors such as poverty, cultural beliefs and gender never prevent girls from obtaining quality education at all levels.  The education system will ensure girls can achieve their fullest potential and fulfill their hopes and dreams.”

Victoria echoed this message with the upcoming football tournament in mind, “Why wouldn’t girls be allowed and encouraged to pursue sports if they enjoy it?  Why do girls have to be discriminated against if they enjoy playing sports?  These questions need to be answered and more importantly addressed if we truly want to have equality in our world.”

As a female referee, Narun Deourn joins us for the tournament and shares, “I love football and have been playing since 2012.  It is not easy to be a footballer, especially as a woman, as there isn’t enough equipment or support.”

​Everyone is entitled to pursue their dreams; in career, interests, hobbies, and even sports.  PeopleStories will do its part to make sure the children; boys and girls, can pursue their dreams equally.  

Will you help Cambodian boys and girls receive a quality education? 

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​Unconditional love that will last a lifetime:  PeopleStories SchoolForLife 2022 (raisely.com)

Story written by:  Volunteer Kathy