The Global Goals World Cup: A new way of keeping the score.
Global Play Gap
November 8, 2021
Around the world, girls’ enter adolescence and their activity levels decrease. Evidence shows that it is by as much as 83%. Inactive adolescent girls become inactive adult women. There are many consequences, including poor physical and mental health. It is predicted that 140million women will suffer from diabetes by 2025. The rate of depression of women is reported to be double that of men.
The reasons for the play gap are many. Girls, women, older adults, marginalized groups, and people with disabilities and chronic diseases, have fewer opportunities to access safe, affordable and appropriate programmes and places in which to be physically active. They lack positive role models. On average, sports coverage in national and local print media dedicated to women’s sport are below 5 %. They often have a workload in the home and care-giving roles for other family members which may limit the time available for them to engage in physical activity. In many cultures women are restricted from participating in sport. In the U.S. girls have 1.3 million fewer opportunities to play high school and college sports than boys have.
In most countries, these numbers are not even tracked. We know that the quality of a girl’s sports experience declines with age. That the facilities, equipment and playing times are not appropriate for their needs. That coaching is not on par with boys and not designed to meet their unique attributes. And, we know that there is less funding. The list of reasons could go on.
EIR pledge: Closing the Play Gap
In 2015 EIR pioneered the world of sport by building the Global Goals World Cup (GGWCUP). Today it is a global network fueled by women. Women around the world play and support each other to break down barriers, lead local sustainable development and amplify their calls to action.
The GGWCUP showcases the importance and benefits of sport and gender equality. Women who have never been allowed to or provided with the opportunity to play get to enjoy physical activity.
Women also seize that moment of being in the spotlight to highlight a UN Sustainable Development Global Goal. Through their engagement they are seen and celebrated as role models. They are highlighting the many benefits of engaging in sport and encouraging positive change. Most continue to play, often with the same team. They build national and international networks. The GGWCUP is life changing for the women, their families, their communities and beyond.
Our ultimate goal is to promote a more healthy and active lifestyle for women by bringing the GGWCUP to all the 193 countries that adopted the United Nations 17 Global Goals by 2030. When we reach 2030 we will have succeeded in building a global community of UN SDG champions fuelled by women and amateur athletes driving change at the community level.
What can you do?
Less than 1% of potential sports sponsorship dollars go to women’s sports.We took the first steps by reimagining a World Cup. It was built without any sustained support. We invite you to join us in reaching new heights. The GGWCUP needs champions. Help us fund this effort, make connections, amplify our efforts and join us in the call for equity in funding for women’s sports programming.
Level the playing field and bring the GGWCUP to your country. Join us in connecting advocacy for the UN Global Goals, leadership and sports for women.
Stand in solidarity with the women participating in the GGWCUP. Support women to own their payday, their education, their dreams. Help them take their messages beyond the field and into national and global dialogues.
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About EIR
EIR is the non-profit organisation that runs the Global Goals World Cup (GGWCUP) and four other programs. Each program activates the groundbreaking potential of sports and play with purpose. More details and deck.