This International Women’s Day, we are celebrating the inspiring women and girls in our programmes and the incredible feats they have overcome in their lives. To nurture the next generation of female superstars, we have set ourselves the ambitious target of raising $4000 from Monday 8th to Friday 12th March, which will provide regular football sessions to a team of 20 girls from disadvantaged areas of Phnom Penh. At the core of these activities is a vital focus on the importance of education, development of confidence and soft-skills, and tackling social issues to empower players to challenge the stereotypes, discrimination, and traditional gender roles that prevents them from participating in both sport and society.

The focus for International Women’s Day 2021 is calling out gender bias and inequality through the theme #ChooseToChallenge. Alongside many of our participants, staff, and supporters, former ISF student Nita has joined ISF to raise her hand high to show her solidarity and share her experience as a young woman pursuing a career in football and the importance of challenging gender stereotypes in Cambodia.

Like many children in Cambodia, Nita was born into a life of poverty and adversity. After her parents were forced to remove her from education at grade three when they were no longer able to afford her school fees, Nita was forced to spend her childhood looking after the house while her parents went out to earn what they could in ill-paid jobs. Then, in 2010, Nita’s luck turned around and she was selected by ISF to enrol in catch-up education and engage in our award-winning Football Programme. Though her education remained her priority, her real passion was football. Nita’s skills and confidence in the sport grew tremendously with the support of ISF’s coaches, and she soon knew that her dream was to become a professional footballer. Unlike many children in Cambodia, Nita was able to achieve her dreams, and now plays as a defender for one of Cambodia’s biggest football clubs, Phnom Penh Crown.

Nita wishes there were more opportunities for women in sport, and discusses the limitations of being a woman in Cambodia. She explains that whilst her parents did not stop her from playing football, they were concerned that she was investing her time in the wrong career, and heard them comment that sport was unsuitable for women as they aren’t as strong or intelligent as men. Fortunately, the more that Nita’s parents saw her play football – even earning herself a trip to the 2018 World Cup in Russia – their attitudes have begun to change, and they express their support for Nita’s career.

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When we asked Nita about her views towards gender equality, she expressed her desire to have more decision-making power in her life and not having society make decisions for her. She believes inaccurate and unhelpful stereotypes about women are fuelling inequality, which is why she has pledged to continue to challenge these stereotypes through her role as a successful female footballer.

Show your support for gender equality today

50% of all donations under $50 made between Monday 8th March and Friday 12th March will be matched by Global Giving – so a little really does go a long way! We need all the help we can get to achieve our target so please consider donating what you can so we can create a more equal and inclusive future for girls like Nita.