Kick for Equality: UN Bhutan and Bhutan Football Federation Unite for 16 Days of Activism

In a groundbreaking collaboration to harness the transformative power of sports for social change, the United Nations Country Team (UNCT) in Bhutan and the Bhutan Football Federation (BFF), in partnership with RENEW, have launched the innovative campaign ‘Kick for Equality.’ This initiative aligns with the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, focusing on promoting gender equality and women’s empowerment through football.

Football for the Goals Initiative

This campaign is a pivotal component of the Football for the Goals Initiative, introduced in October this year. As a call to action to amplify support for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the campaign leverages the power of sports, specifically football, to advance sustainability, equality, human rights, and climate action.

Campaign Objectives

1. Raise Awareness about Gender-Based Violence: Utilizing football-related content and engagement to educate the Bhutanese population, especially youth, about gender-based violence, challenging stereotypes, and encouraging reporting.

2. Promote Behavioral Change: Using football as a platform, the campaign aims to encourage sustainable practices related to gender equality and gender-based violence.

3. Engage Young People as Agents of Change: Empowering young people in Bhutan to actively advocate for and implement the SDGs, leveraging their enthusiasm for football to drive positive social change and challenge societal norms.

4. Showcase Female Role Models: Highlighting female athletes as role models, breaking barriers, and inspiring young girls to participate in football and other sports, fostering inclusivity and teamwork.

5. Foster Multisectoral Collaboration: Collaborating with various sectors in Bhutan, including government, civil society, and private organizations, to jointly address social issues, using football as a unifying platform.

Campaign Activities

The campaign, running from 25 November to 10 December, features a series of impactful activities:

1. Campaign Launch Event (26 November): A friendly all-women football match involving national women’s football and community representatives in Gelephu will kick off the campaign.

2. #OrangeTheWorld TikTok Challenge: Encouraging users to share stories, perspectives, and messages of support for the 16 Days of Activism.

3. Women in Sports Panel Discussion: Prominent female athletes and sports leaders will discuss breaking stereotypes and empowering women through sports in Thimphu.

4. Bodyright Campaign: Joining the global movement to stop online body abuse, emphasizing the need to protect bodily autonomy online.

5. The Strength of a Woman: A panel discussion celebrating the achievements and challenges of Bhutanese women, providing insights into their journeys and contributions to society.

The Resident Coordinator of UN Bhutan, Karla Robin Hershey said empowering women and girls is not just a goal; it is a fundamental necessity for building a sustainable and equitable future. In our effort to leave no one behind, we must prioritize women and girls.

"The UN country team in Bhutan stands unwaveringly committed to supporting the Royal Government to ensure every woman and girl can live free from violence," said Karla Robin Hershey.

This collaborative effort stands as a testament to the power of sports in fostering societal change and creating a world where every individual, regardless of gender, can thrive without fear or discrimination.