HERA

HERA was established by former members of Libya’s women’s national football team with the aim of developing and supporting women, girls and young people through sport, as an active learning tool to educate on issues of gender, health and reconciliation. Working in an extremely challenging environment, the girls from HERA use football to empower girls and women by giving them the space and freedom to express themselves physically and the opportunity to explore their own strengths and work on their limitations in a safe environment, while also having fun. The ‘Sports for All’ programme, along with several other projects, focuses on using sports and games to develop a set of life skills that prepare adolescents for active participation in society. Activities are girl-led, and the girls have developed strategies to respond to their difficult context. Working in schools and with internally displaced persons in refugee camps and orphanages, HERA works to create sport spaces where the girls can build strength, both physical and mental, to help them face their daily realities. Through workshops on gender equality and civic engagement, HERA helps to break down cultural barriers that have prevented girls from engaging in sports activities and unites girls from different backgrounds. Girls are also taught about self-awareness, assertiveness, communication and other life skills build their resilience and arm them with the power to decide their own futures. HERA also works with sports teachers and Scouts leaders to explain the importance of sports, especially team sports, for young girls.