Photos: Soccer girls in Kampala

Women take the Lead 

Although Uganda is welcoming and hosts one of the largest population of refugees in the world, Congolese girls living in the capital of Uganda, are facing great obstacles: language barriers, xenophobia, difficulties to access education because of financial reasons... In the slum of Nsambya, organizations like Soccer without Borders, where most of the staff is also refugees, offer education and soccer training for these youths, helping them building strength, confidence and dealing with trauma. A special emphasis is given to empowering young women and reverse stereotypes through various soccer events when parents are often reluctant to let them play because they fear their girls might become too masculine and would rather have them stay and help at home.