SOHK are dedicated to using sport as a means to replace negative gender norms with more positive and progressive beliefs about women and gender relations.
In honour of #womensmonth2021, and our *new* partnership with Naspers Limited, we are sharing sporting stories of how SA's top female athletes have overcome the prevailing power imbalance between men and women to excel in their sport. We hope this will inspire young women to persevere at the sport they love and educate us all on how to become their best allies.
First up was Springbok captain, Babalwa Latsha. A woman not afraid to break the mould.
We are proud to announce that we have been awarded an MTN Award for Social Change, in recognition of our Monitoring and Evaluation work in South Africa. The MTN Awards, held this year in collaboration with sustainability consultancy, Trialogue, recognise and reward non-profits that are able to provide evidence of the positive difference they are making.
We are honoured to receive this award, particularly as it recognises our Monitoring and Evaluation work. We are incredibly grateful to our international team of colleagues, partners, and supporters who have made this possible.
About the MTN Award for Social Change
The MTN Award for Social Change aims to establish a platform for learning and sharing information that will assist non-profits that engage in this process. Through the application process, non-profits are exposed to M&E practices and principles. Registered NPOs were required to enter a project or programme that is creating positive impact, has been running for at least two years and has some level of associated M&E practice.
Entries were shortlisted by Trialogue and 20 organisations were put forward for final selection by a panel of independent judges. A total of R1m of prize money was awarded to the winning NPOs in each of the three categories, as well as a fourth bonus award winner.
As an avid rugby player, Scott Sloan realised the importance of community to mental health. "From a young age I learnt the power of teamwork," he says. Having experienced his own struggles with anxiety and depression, Sloan is now harnessing rugby to help vulnerable children build their resilience.
“Young people have got the inner resources to set goals for themselves, make new friends, and manage a plan for themselves and their lives so that they succeed within and out of school,” Sloan says. A support system is key to dealing with personal challenges. Through rugby, the SOHK is changing the narrative on mental health and helping South African youth tackle their hardships head on. “
You can see the full feature by clicking here.
SOHK’s #NextGenMen project aims to implement the findings and recommendations from our recent study.
Our goal is to scale up our delivery of gender-awareness programming through gender-conscious role models to every child in our programme. SOHK are currently seeking new sponsors in order to fund:
* New gender-transformative curriculum content designed with experts at the Gender Institute.
* New content to be rolled out to over 200 children in the SOHK programme
* Installation of a sanitary pad vending machine in each school in partnership with Menstruation Foundation
* 14 days of capacity building delivered by the Gender Institute with SOHK staff to further their understanding of gender equitable coaching practices.
* Sharing our findings with our peers and developing an open-source curriculum to share with anyone that is interested.
* Using local research expertise to develop a thorough plan to document our findings.
SOHK Director Scott Sloan says “By engaging our Coaches to deliver programmes to young male and female participants, the #NextGenMen project seeks to change perceptions around traditional gender norms and promote gender-equitable and non-violent attitudes. Though we are still learning and growing in our approach to gender-aware coaching practices, we are excited to be making a small contribution to ending GBV in South Africa.”
#NextGenMen is proudly supported by two great ambassadors.
Gender Based Violence campaigner and SOHK supporter Siv Ngesi says ‘My message to young people is simple, be whoever you want to be, no-one should tell you otherwise. I’m proud to support School of Hard Knocks and their efforts to dispel gender stereotypes. I love seeing exceptional female rugby talent when I visit their programmes. Please help support their work in whatever way you can.’
Inspirational Springbok Captain Babalwa Latsha says ‘It’s of utmost importance that we mobilise young people and we educate them to bring down gender stereotypes on a daily basis. As a female rugby player myself this is something I do every single day. We need to finally reach a point where young boys see young women as their equals and vice versa. My message to young people is that it's up to us to change the present and the future. The School of Hard Knocks and it’s programmes therefore are very important as it equips and educates towards that. Let’s continue to be champions and bring down gender based stereotypes.’
To donate to #NextGenMen contact scott@schoolofhardknocks.co.za.
As many South Africans try to make meaning from the staggering statistics around gender-based violence (GBV) in the country we are proud to be working with adolescents to challenge traditional gender norms through sport.
In 2020 we completed a study that focuses on how, over 6 months, our programming influenced 18 adolescent boys' gendered views.
Though the scope of this study was small, there are very encouraging signs that by creating a gender equitable space for young men and women through SFD we can begin to address problematic social stereotypes and contribute to the empowerment of young women.
In 2021 we want to better understand if this approach is successful in creating long-lasting change that transfers ‘off the field.’
Click on the image to download the report.
Yaseen, Vista High
We love partnering people and business with our shared purpose.
In 2020 we started a collaboration with The Sneaker Shack, who are encouraging customers and passers by to drop off less-worn, previously loved sneakers that just need a little love, care and attention to transform them to ‘as good as new’ sneakers for the proud feet of young South Africans embarking on their adult journey.
For the first 6 months of 2021 all shoes donated will be expertly restored, with care, and given to the 250 young adults that SOHK SA councils within the local underserved communities of Cape Town.
Thanks Sneaker Shack!