BSM Global Association was recently invited to visit the headquarters of FIFA in Zurich, Switzerland. BSM’s aim of discussing gender-based violence (GBV) in sports and how football can help champion the fight against GBV has always been in the pipeline as sports facilities developments in Africa & Asia are underway. In addition, ahead of the upcoming Women’s World Cup 2023, is the BSM’s organization of Mandela Sports Fest in Paris 2023.
As a strong advocate for the rights of women and girls who have been subjected to gender-based violence. BSM has been dedicated to empowering other survivors and raising awareness about GBV in various industries, including sports.
BSM speaks about the importance of using football as a tool to address GBV in sports. She highlighted the potential of football to raise awareness about GBV, promote gender equality, and provide a safe space for women and girls. BSM’s commitment to combat GBV through sports goes beyond the organization of the Mandela Sports Fest in Paris 2023. The BSM has also been developing sports facilities to encourage their participation in sports as a means of empowerment.
BSM’s commitment to combat GBV through sports
BSM’s commitment to combating GBV through sports also involves the development of sports facilities in Africa and Asia. The organization recognizes the power of sports in promoting gender equality, creating safe spaces, and empowering women and girls. As such, BSM has been working to build sports facilities in underserved communities where sports have the potential to make a significant impact.
Through the development of these sports facilities, BSM aims to provide girls and women with a safe and inclusive environment to participate in sports, while also raising awareness about GBV and empowering survivors. By working with local communities and partners, BSM ensures that the facilities are accessible and sustainable, and that they have a positive impact on the lives of the people they serve.
In addition to developing sports facilities, BSM also provides training and education on GBV prevention and response, both for sports organizations and for the wider community. This includes working with coaches, players, and administrators to recognize and respond to signs of GBV, and partnering with local organizations to provide support services to survivors.
Mandela Sports Fest 2023, Paris
The BSM’s upcoming Mandela Sports Fest in collaboration with Mandela Institute for Humanity aims to promote gender equality and raise awareness about GBV. The event will be held on Mandela Day, July 18, 2023, in Paris, a city with a rich history of football and social change, and will feature an exhibition game featuring some of the world’s top football players such as Clarence Seedorf, Guillaume Hoarau, including rising stars such as Mattias Mboma and Kezaia Dimosi.
Together with the Mandela Institute for Humanity and the passing of the torch to the grandson of Nelson Mandela – NDABA MANDELA, the Mandela Sports Fest is part of both organizations’ ongoing commitment to promoting gender equality and empowering GBV survivors through sports, and to restore Nelson Mandela’s legacy of fighting for basic human rights regardless of gender, nationality, and race by building a community firmly rooted in sport.
FOOTBALL – FIGHTING GBV
Mandela Sports Fest 2023 is a significant step towards raising awareness about GBV in sports and promoting gender equality in the football community. It is an important reminder that football can be more than just a game – it can be a powerful tool for positive change.
Football is more than just a game, it represents qualities such as resilience, teamwork, and perseverance, which have transformed the lives of many young athletes, including well-known players such as Messi, Ronaldo, and Mbappé, who serve as role models for aspiring athletes worldwide. But it’s not just male athletes who make an impact in the sport. Women athletes such as Marta Vieira da Silva, Ada Hegerberg, and Sam Kerr, among many others, have shown that football can be a powerful tool for empowering women and promoting gender equality.
THE UNIFYING POWER OF FOOTBALL
“Football is one of the most accessible sports, and countries must start paying attention to its potential to unify the fight for gender equality and progress on a global scale.” BSM on countries that have yet to understand the capacity of the power of football.
BSM is committed to harnessing football’s potential to combat gender-based violence and the MANDELA SPORTS FESTIVAL is an opportunity to honor the legacy of Nelson Mandela, who believed in the transformative power of sports to bring about positive change in the world. This historic event signifies our commitment to building a more inclusive and equitable world through the unifying power of football.
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