The Goal Getters campaign, a collaborative initiative by CAF, UEFA, and Gavi in partnership with Ministries of Health, is expanding to Zimbabwe to empower young girls, counter misinformation, and promote informed health choices. The Zimbabwe workshop, part of the CAF Under-17 Girls Integrated Football Tournament (GIFT), will engage nearly 200 girls aged 14–17 from six African countries, including Lesotho, Malawi, Namibia, South Africa, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. The programme aims to build local capacity and foster ownership through the involvement of football associations, ministries, coaches, and community influencers.
The workshop focuses on raising awareness of the HPV vaccine, which prevents up to 90% of cervical cancer cases, by combining football, music, and interactive dialogue to create a safe and engaging environment. Football legends Eniola Aluko and Amanda Dlamini will participate, using their experiences to highlight leadership, teamwork, and confidence, encouraging girls to make informed health and life choices.
Goal Getters leverages UEFA’s global football development programme and Gavi’s vaccination mission to strengthen trust in health interventions and expand access to accurate health information. By blending sport with community engagement, the campaign aims to empower girls, enhance decision-making, and promote vaccine awareness in a culturally relevant and accessible way.
The initiative aligns with ongoing global efforts to combat cervical cancer, a major public health threat in lower-income countries. Gavi’s programs have protected approximately 86 million girls worldwide, preventing over one million future deaths. Goal Getters complements these efforts by creating youth-friendly spaces where girls can challenge myths, engage with health professionals, and build confidence in their health choices.
The campaign has received strong support from key stakeholders. UEFA emphasizes the power of football to inspire trust and opportunities beyond the pitch, while Gavi highlights the urgency of reaching unprotected young people with life-saving vaccines. Ambassadors Eniola Aluko and Amanda Dlamini stress the importance of confidence, self-care, and leadership in fostering healthy futures. CAF underscores its commitment to expanding opportunities for girls through football and health education, building on the success of previous workshops in Tanzania and Eswatini.
