First Women’s Accredited Coach Program Launches in Tanzania
March 5, 2021
2020 Beyond Sport Global Award shortlisters in Sport for Health & Well-Being, Coaches Across Continents (CAC) and Pathfinder International, have launched the first ever women’s Accredited Coach Program in Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR).
Building on their shortlisted program, Advancing Sexual Health Through Purposeful Play, CAC recently announced an expansion of the program in Tanzania. This program launched at the start of 2019 and addresses four main components: knowledge of sexual and reproductive rights, household environment, community responsibility and conservation.
Since 1957, Pathfinder International has been a global leader in advancing SRHR. The partnership allows the organisations to provide resources and education specifically tailored towards teenage girls, boys and young families.
CAC's Purposeful Play curriculum and Education Outside the Classroom (EOC) methodology supports communities to design pathways towards social change based on the UN Sustainable Development Goals
In returning to Zanzibar, the two will work with the Ministry of Sport to train 100 teachers from across the island in the SRHR curriculum. They will also equip 20 female leaders with the tools and year-round training to become CAC Accredited Coaches in Purposeful Play.
Engaging women through sport has been difficult for the Zanzibar government, but the partnership is breaking religious and cultural barriers. These elected female leaders and coaches will be the first women working in sport for development in Zanzibar.
The program uses the tool of sport to address the taboo in women’s health issues in Tanzania. “Sexual health issues are directly linked to education and to so many other pathways of community and personal development,” said Nora Dooley, Impact Team Leader at CAC.
In a short period of time operating the program last year, 92% of participating youth stated their confidence in getting their partners to use contraceptives if they desired. 94% said they were confident that they could refuse sex if they did not want it. The impact of this programming will see island wide education on SHRH, creating universal access to sexual reproductive care, family planning and education on gender equality.
In addition to this program, through Soccerex CAC has partnered with Be Strong Kondipark to build the first women's only fitness facility with a local partner in Zanzibar to ensure a safe space for women dedicated to their health and wellbeing.
Coaches Across Continents won the Beyond Sport Global Award for Best New Project in 2009 and the Global Impact Award in 2019.