At the Clinton Global Initiative Annual Meeting, which was held in New York City, a special session, entitled “Sports as a Tool for Social Good”, was held. On the occasion, Ethan Zohn, co-founder of Grassroot Soccer, announced that they would be expanding the special program entitled “Skillz Street.” With the help of this program the girls in South Africa will be able to play in a unique soccer league, which will be only for girls. Along with learning the benefits of playing an organized sport, the participating girls will also be given special life skills, and will also gain knowledge about HIV prevention.
Ethan Zohn, who was also the winner of the CBS show Survivor: Africa and co-host of the ABC show Everyday Health, said, “Through this commitment to action, Grassroot Soccer will address gender inequality and the lack of empowerment of young women, two key components of the AIDS epidemic in Southern Africa. Using soccer as the vehicle for girls’ empowerment, our Skillz Street program can dramatically alter the gender landscape and mobilize whole communities to live more healthy, productive lives.”
The Skillz Street program will help reduce the gender disparity in South Africa. Unfortunately, today, out of 1 million registered soccer players in the country, only 1% are girls. However, the program aims to change this, as it will provide the girls to play an organized sport, thereby helping them develop leadership skills, on and off the field.
Michel Sidibe, who is UNAIDS Executive Director, went to visit a Skillz Street program in South Africa. He said, “Grassroot Soccer is restoring dignity and building self-esteem of young girls living in a challenging environment, transforming them into actors for the HIV prevention revolution.”
Grassroot Soccer is a nonprofit organization that aims to educate the youth of Africa about the dangers of HIV infection, as it is they who have the highest rate of infection, and through this effort, the organization hopes to prevent the spread of AIDS. In Africa, women between the ages of 15-24 are 8 times more susceptible to HIV infection than men. Keeping this in view, Grassroot Soccer has initiated the Skillz Street program, so that it can help these young women remain HIV free. With the help of this program, the girls will not only play an organized sport, bit will also take part in open discussions on HIV and AIDS. HIV testing component, which is an important tool in fighting the disease, will also be included in the program.
