In rural and hard-to-reach parts of Uganda, female genital mutilation (FGM) remains a serious human rights violation and public health concern, deeply rooted in traditional gender norms. These practices often lead to child marriage, school dropouts, and increased exposure to violence, trapping girls in cycles of poverty and limiting their future opportunities. For many communities in the Sebei region, these challenges are persistent, but change is gradually emerging through education and sport-based interventions.
A female coach working with the Joshua Cheptegei Development Foundation, in partnership with UNFPA and UNICEF, is using sport as an entry point to engage girls who are often excluded from education and decision-making spaces. Through athletics, she builds trust with young girls, many of whom confide in her about pressures to undergo FGM, leave school, or enter unsafe relationships. Sport, she explains, provides a safe space to challenge harmful norms and support girls in recognizing their rights and potential.
One of the key initiatives includes an annual community Christmas run, which brings together boys and girls from across Sebei. Beyond competition, the event serves as a pathway to opportunity, with selected girls receiving educational sponsorships that enable them to continue their schooling. For many, this intervention is life-changing, as it offers an alternative to early marriage and the risk of being forced out of education.
As girls progress in both academics and athletics, community perceptions are slowly shifting. Some parents are beginning to recognize that girls’ participation in sport can bring broader social and economic benefits, not just for individuals but for entire communities. Girls who once faced limited futures are now seen running toward education, independence, and self-determined lives.
Alongside sport, the programme also focuses on education around sexual and reproductive health, personal safety, and psychosocial support. These conversations are particularly important in contexts where female independence is often discouraged and success in athletics can lead to social pressure to abandon sport in favor of early marriage. The coach emphasizes that financial independence and education are critical in expanding girls’ choices and protecting their futures.
The urgency of this work has been reinforced by cases of gender-based violence, including the killing of Ugandan long-distance runner Rebecca Cheptegei in 2024. Such incidents highlight the risks faced by women who challenge traditional gender roles and underscore the need for stronger protection and awareness around women’s safety and rights in sports and society.
Despite these challenges, sport is increasingly being seen as a tool for empowerment rather than limitation. Efforts supported by UNFPA and partners are helping communities address FGM, promote gender equality, and improve access to health information and services. By combining sport, education, and community engagement, these initiatives aim to ensure that girls in Uganda can grow up free from violence and fully realize their potential.
