Athletes for Hope is proud to serve as an organization that is uniquely positioned to utilize the power of sport to address some of the most daunting issues of our time, including equality for all. In that spirit, we are excited to share that last week, members of our team traveled back to Africa with the goal of advancing issues of gender equality through the #Better4Kenya initiative. This movement was designed to accelerate the pace of change and elevate awareness about the benefits of gender equality by engaging influencers who are now helping to lead conversations around this important topic and thus spur national leaders to implement policy.

Our trip included stops in both Kenya and Tanzania, where we were able to meet with multiple NGO’s that are focused on various issues under the umbrella of gender equality. These topics include issues such as child marriage, female genital mutilation (FGM), sexual & reproductive rights, access to justice and many more. Additionally, one of the highlights from our time in Nairobi included conducting a workshop for the top 70 men’s and women’s players from Kenya’s premier league football clubs. Players engaged in conversations around the opportunities they have as Kenyan footballers and consequently the immense value of using their platform to advance society in a meaningful way. We also discussed what an equal and inclusive Kenya meant to each player, which resulted in a recognition that while longstanding societal norms have presented obstacles, each player can use their stature in the community to help be part of the solution. We look forward to continuing to work with these incredible athletes as the #Better4Kenya initiative seeks to amplify the work of NGO’s by connecting players to upcoming engagement opportunities. Stay tuned!