With the virtues inherent in sportsmanship and camaraderie in athleticism, Kampuchea Balopp uses rugby as its main tool to promote gender equality among young Cambodia. The youth make up more than a third of the nation’s population and after decades of conflict in war-torn Cambodia, sports for the KB youth is a form of sanctuary and rugby has become a means to that end.
Through sport activities, Kampuchea Balopp hopes to imbue them with:
- Social integration
- Mutual respect
- Team work
- Sense of responsibility
- Confidence
- Health & nutrition
- Gender equality
Gender context in Cambodia
The Royal Government of Cambodia recognizes that violence against women is a serious social and public health concern and is rooted in gender inequality. Violence not only affects women but it also trickles down to their children who are exposed to this situation. The life-long health and social consequences are staggering and it affects not only the family but the entire community as well. KB is committed to tackling gender inequality.
Promoting gender equality
Project in 2017
This year, TFWA Care will provide funding to KB’s Good Sport Campaign, a gender equality centered programme for boys and girls between the ages of 8 and 20 in Phnom Penh. This sporting event will have its highly trained sports educators to work hands in hand with KB’s youth.
The Good Sport Campaign objectives are:
- Teach boys how to properly behave towards the opposite sex
- Teach and empower the girls how to stand up for themselves
- Tolerance to children with disability
- Develop team building skills and instill a sense of brotherhood
- Teach them the ability to openly discuss violence, abuse and harassment
As their motto, "Give them a ball, give them a chance, they will embrace it.” Through one rugby match at a time, we hope that this will impart life-long lessons to the children of Cambodia.