AP-WORP uses sport to break taboos and empower young people with knowledge on dignity, menstrual health, and responsible living.
In Fuanantui, Njinikom Subdivision, sport went beyond entertainment last weekend. More than 150 young people turned out for “Kick for Dignity,” a youth-centred football event that used the power of sport to open honest conversations about menstrual hygiene and reproductive health.
Held on 8 November at the esplanade of St. Charles Borromeo Parish, the event was organised by the Association for the Promotion of Women’s Reproductive Rights and Protection (AP-WORP). It formed part of the organisation’s broader project, Restoring Dignity, Advancing SRHR, which seeks to equip young people with the skills and confidence to make informed life choices.
AP-WORP’s Executive Director, Munteh Florence Chea, led a team of health experts in discussions with students from Georgian City Academy and St. Bede’s College. Through football, open dialogue, and practical demonstrations, participants learned about menstrual hygiene management, gender support, teamwork, and self-respect.
The highlight was a mixed football match where boys and girls played side by side — a symbolic act promoting gender inclusion and mutual understanding. “Sport is a language young people understand,” one facilitator said. “It helps break barriers and makes learning about sensitive topics easier and more engaging.”
At the end of the day, AP-WORP distributed dignity kits containing sanitary pads, sportswear, and sporting materials such as footballs, handballs, and volleyballs to participating schools.
With support from the Global Fund for Women and the encouragement of Rev. Fr. Collins Berinyuy, Parish Priest of St. Charles Borromeo Parish, the initiative succeeded in combining fun with learning.
“Kick for Dignity” showed that sport can be more than just play. In Fuanantui, it became a tool for restoring dignity, promoting menstrual hygiene, and building a generation of informed, confident young people.
By Hilltopvoices Online
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