by Hindaty Traore, Girls Project Manager

March 8, 2021 was International Women’s Day. At Mali Rising, we celebrated this special day in our own way.  

How? By cheering for our girls as they played their hearts out on a dusty soccer field. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the girls cannot currently travel between schools to play. However, we set up match between the 7th and 8th grade girls and the 9th grade girls at Denik Middle School in Zambougou.   

Initially, all the players as well as the supporters and spectators disinfected their hands before the match to protect themselves against COVID-19. A huge crowd came out to watch the match and celebrate with us. We gave the president of the school committee the honor of sending out the first kick-off and then the madness began. Whenever the ball goes to one side, all the girls go to that side. There is no passing or dribbling. The girls get so excited that they forget their strategy and focus on fierceness and speed! The girls' soccer game was so much fun that spectators were laughing everywhere and all the time. 

The 9th grade girls started the game on a war footing and seemed to surprise the 7th and 8th grade by pushing forward and disrupting their passing game, perhaps to show that they are the elders. However, there were a few blunders on both sides during the first 20 minutes. But after that time the first good chance of the match came for the 9th graders. The ball was played short towards Doussouba at the edge of the box and it was a great shot, but the keeper, Kamissa, blocked the shot despite her inexperience!

At this point we came to the end of the first half. The players rested for 15 minutes and drank water while their coaches (really their school teachers!) tried to remind them of strategy and cheered them on.

In the second half, the 7th and 8th grade team started with possession of the ball and created their first real momentum of the match. After 20 minutes, they finally scored a goal with 7th grader Helene heading the ball into the net! The match was won by the 7th and 8th grade team. We provided them with awards, but also gave small gifts to the opposing team. 

We took advantage of this match to make the students’ parents and all the observers aware of the benefits of girls’ education for the girls themselves, but also for the whole village. In fact, when the match ended the awards were presented to the winning team by the Women’s Committee leader. The Girls’ Representative on the school committee, Mrs. Samaké, then gave a pep talk and asked the fathers to let their daughters study.

The celebration of this International Women's Day allowed us not only to entertain the girls but also to send an awareness message to the entire village. In addition, we had a great time!