Zonta Club of Waasland empowers girls through football

For more than 10 years, the Zonta Club of Waasland, Belgium, has financially supported Sitima Sisters, a girls' football club, to empower girls through football. For Sitima Sisters, football is more than a game; it is a vehicle for empowerment in a poverty-stricken area where girls often face limited opportunities. It provides a platform for growth and confidence.

The club collaborated with local partners and identified a passionate group of young girls. These girls hail from a disadvantaged community in Malawi, where access to education, healthcare and basic amenities is scarce. Despite the odds stacked against them, their love for the sport burns brightly.

The club provides all essential resources for training equipment, coaching, mentorship and community engagement. The impact of their support is profound: the club ensured that education remained a priority, linking football success to academic achievement. Regular physical activity improved the girls' overall health, and they became ambassadors for healthy living within their families and community. The football club also became a source of pride for their community. People began to recognize their talent and dedication, and as these girls grew into strong, empowered women, they carried the torch of change for generations to come.