After five years of intense activity, the RECAF Youth project, led by the NGO Right to Play and funded by Global Affairs Canada, has taken stock of its achievements, with a view to ensuring the sustainability of actions by grassroots actors.

Implemented in nine municipalities (six in the Ziguinchor region and three in Sédhiou) it has established itself as a major social innovation, using sport as a lever to deconstruct gender stereotypes and strengthen the leadership of young girls.

Concrete results

Nearly 10,000 young people, including 8,000 girls, benefited from the initiative. Through football, basketball, and wrestling, the project democratized sports participation and allowed girls to assert themselves in disciplines long perceived as masculine. Three key components characterized this approach.

Menstrual hygiene through training in cycle management and design of sanitary pads made from local materials distributed in households and within communities; mentoring through the mobilization of local personalities to establish intergenerational dialogue and strengthen the self-esteem of young girls; positive masculinity with the involvement of boys and men as partners to support equality and prevent violence against girls.

Visible results

The project's achievements extend beyond the borders of Casamance. Seven young people from the 84 partner clubs have joined the national wrestling team for the Youth Olympic Games in Dakar.

In Sédhiou, ASC Koumaré, supported by the project, won the second division championship and gained promotion to the top flight for the first time. Some of its players were even selected for the national team, confirming the program's impact on the national sports scene.

Towards the sustainability of achievements

During the closing workshop, Modou Samb, deputy prefect of Ziguinchor, praised "the support provided to thousands of young girls and boys in terms of leadership, health and safety".

The discussions focused on sustainability: how to maintain these achievements, strengthen self-esteem and encourage young people to undertake development actions for the benefit of their respective communities.