Country
Democratic Republic of the Congo
Organisation
Umoja Sport Foundation
Key Words
Norms, Boundaries, Gender inequality, Empowerment, Policies, PEPAS
Themes
- Gender Equality and Gender Equity in and through PEPAS
- Empowerment of Women and Girls in and through PEPAS
- Integration of Health, including Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) Interventions with PEPAS
- Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and/or Violence against Women and Girls (VAWG)
- Mental and Physical Health and Wellbeing
- Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR)
- Education and Prevention
- Participants, Coaches and Athletes Sport for Development
Summary/Overview
Umoja Sport Foundation aims to trigger the development of target communities by developing students and out of school youth, as well as empowering women who have not had access to quality education. They use sport as an educational tool outside the classroom to raise awareness in communities on social issues related to gender, education, health and well-being, human rights in general and child rights in particular, environmental preservation, peace and tranquility.
Problem Statement
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) faces challenges, including armed conflict, epidemics, and poor infrastructure. These issues particularly impact women and girls, who face widespread gender-based violence while struggling against cultural norms that perpetuate gender inequality. In many communities, violence against women and girls is deeply embedded in traditional practices and often goes unchallenged.
Umoja Sport works in underserved DRC communities where limited education and sports infrastructure have reinforced these gender disparities and normalized violence against women. While the DRC has improved legal frameworks for gender equality over the past decade, deep-rooted stereotypes and harmful practices persist. In communities like Cinq Ans, girls who challenge traditional domestic roles often face threats of violence and social ostracism.
Umoja Sport confronts these barriers through collaborative approaches, including involving adult women in PEPAS (Physical Education, Physical Activity, and Sport). We recruit women as PEPAS role models and ambassadors, implement gender equality policies in regional schools, and ensure gender inclusion at three levels: on the pitch, on the sideline, and within the organization. Through these efforts, Umoja Sport uses sports to combat gender-based violence, promote equality, and empower women and girls in post-conflict DRC.
About the Programme
Umoja Sport implements a comprehensive PEPAS (Physical Education, Physical Activity, and Sport) intervention to advance gender equality and prevent gender-based violence (GBV) in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The program operates through three key implementation levels: direct participation, mentorship, and organizational leadership.
At the participation level, Umoja Sport collaborates with Coaches Across Continents to deliver purposeful play curricula that develop athletic skills and challenge gender norms and traditions. Through structured games and physical activities, male and female participants learn practical lessons about community development, economic empowerment, and sexual and reproductive health rights. These activities specifically address GBV prevention by teaching women to identify unsafe situations, assert boundaries, and report abuse.
The mentorship level engages women as PEPAS role models, coaches, and ambassadors. This creates safe spaces where women can openly discuss personal experiences and challenges while participating in sports activities. The supportive environment facilitates peer-to-peer learning, sharing of coping strategies, and collective processing of societal pressures. Women mentors demonstrate leadership possibilities to younger participants, breaking traditional gender barriers.
At the organizational level, Umoja Sport integrates gender equality policies within regional schools and ensures women’s representation in decision-making positions. This systematic approach embeds gender-responsive practices into local institutions, promoting sustainable change.
The intervention’s specific steps include:
- Training women as PEPAS coaches and mentors
- Implementing purposeful play sessions that combine physical activity with GBV prevention education
- Creating safe spaces for women’s sports participation and discussion
- Developing economic empowerment through sports leadership roles
- Establishing reporting mechanisms for GBV
- Building networks of female athletes and leaders
- Integrating gender equality policies in local institutions
Through this multi-level approach, Umoja Sport uses PEPAS to foster both individual empowerment and systemic change in gender relations.
Successes and Challenges
Bernice Akawa’s story exemplifies how Umoja Sport’s PEPAS programs have transformed the lives of young women. Despite enduring a tumultuous childhood marked by her parents’ divorce, gender-based violence, and homelessness, Bernice’s life took a positive turn when she connected with Umoja Sport. Bernice was initially apprehensive about participating in PEPAS, fearing the potential for violence in a two mixed-gender setting. However, she quickly overcame these concerns and became actively involved, becoming a peer coach and one of Umoja Sport’s most skilled, purposeful play facilitators. Through her participation in PEPAS, Bernice has found personal resilience and determination and has become a powerful advocate for gender equality within her community. She now serves as a role model and mentor to other young girls, inspiring them to dream big and challenge the limiting gender norms that have long constrained their lives. In addition to her coaching duties, Bernice has also taken on the role of facilitator in Umoja Sport’s French literacy classes for out-of-school youth. Her multifaceted contributions have made her an invaluable asset to the organization, allowing them to scale their impact and reach even more individuals in need. Bernice’s remarkable transformation from a victim of circumstance to a champion of gender equality is a testament to the power of PEPAS and the holistic approach of Umoja Sport. By providing a supportive and empowering environment, the organization has enabled Bernice and countless others like her to overcome adversity and become agents of positive change within their communities.
Lessons
Our PEPAS programs drive progress towards SDG 5 through a comprehensive, multi-pronged approach: Educating women/girls on their human rights empowers them to challenge deep-rooted gender norms. Equipping participants with knowledge of sexual/reproductive health, menstrual management, and family planning has enabled them to make informed, autonomous choices about their bodies and well-being. The training in gender-based violence prevention has armed women and girls with skills to assert boundaries, report abuse, and create safer environments. Fostering economic empowerment through entrepreneurship, financial literacy, and vocational skills development has allowed some to start small businesses, such as sewing. Holistically addressing health, wellness, conflict resolution, and promoting quality education for girls lays the foundation for sustainable, transformative change. Women and girls gain a deeper understanding of gender equality as a fundamental human right, empowering them to challenge discriminatory norms and demand fair treatment in their homes, workplaces, and communities.
Authors
- Nshimba Wa Mwanza Elvis, Founder and CEO, Umoja Sport Foundation, Democratic Republic of the Congo
- Bernice Akawa, Former participants, ands now Purposeful play Coach and French Literacy facilitator, Umoja Sport Foundation, Democratic Republic of the Congo
- Jolie Umba, Participant in Menstrual Health Management, Democratic Republic of the Congo
- Aspen E. Streetman, Board Member, Umoja Sport Foundation, Manhattan, KS, USA
