Kano, Nigeria – 4 December 2024 – Lift Africa Foundation advances its community-centred
advocacy during the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence (GBV) by hosting an
all-female novelty football match in Kano. The event brings together students, youth groups,
women’s organisations, community leaders and civil society partners to promote public
awareness of GBV and reinforce the call for a culture of zero tolerance.
The novelty match uses the power of sports to create solidarity, spark conversations and mobilise
young women as champions of safety, dignity and equality. The initiative demonstrates that
GBV prevention is not limited to policy spaces — it must also be present in communities, public
institutions and everyday interactions.
Using Sports as a Tool for Social Mobilisation
The event takes place in a lively, energetic atmosphere, where young women display teamwork,
confidence and resilience on the field. The match creates a safe and empowering platform that:
- encourages girls’ participation in public spaces
- challenges stereotypes surrounding women and sports
- promotes agency, confidence and leadership
- attracts public attention to the cause
- mobilises communities in a positive, engaging way
Lift Africa Foundation highlights that sports can challenge harmful norms and strengthen
solidarity among young women and girls.
Reinforcing Advocacy Messages Through Public Participation
Before kickoff, the Foundation leads a short awareness session focusing on:
- the meaning of zero tolerance for GBV
- the importance of the VAPP Act for protecting women and girls
- pathways for reporting violence
- the realities faced by survivors in the absence of strong legal protections
- how youth can serve as advocates within their communities
Participants carry banners and placards with advocacy messages, ensuring that the event serves
both as a celebration of solidarity and a powerful advocacy moment.
Building Youth Ownership of the 16 Days Campaign
The match attracts significant youth participation, with attendees expressing a strong desire to
support GBV prevention in their communities. Through interactive engagements, Lift Africa
Foundation encourages young people to:
- challenge harmful norms within peer groups
- support survivor-centred responses
- speak out against normalised violence
- promote non-violent conflict resolution
- advocate for the domestication of the VAPP Act
This youth-led energy reinforces the belief that young people are central actors in driving social
change.
Amplifying the Campaign’s Core Message
Throughout the event, advocacy messages are amplified through:
- branded materials
- live social media updates
- statements from stakeholders
- chants calling for justice and protection
- discussions with student associations and youth leaders
The visibility generated by the match contributes to sustained public pressure for stronger laws,
better services and community-driven prevention strategies.
Lift Africa Foundation’s Commitment
The all-female novelty match reflects Lift Africa Foundation’s commitment to ensuring that
advocacy is inclusive, accessible and grounded in the lived realities of communities. The
Foundation remains dedicated to:
- expanding youth-led advocacy platforms
- promoting safe and empowering spaces for girls
- mobilising communities through innovative engagement methods
- challenging cultural norms that enable violence
- reinforcing statewide calls for the VAPP Act’s domestication
By using sports to strengthen awareness and solidarity, Lift Africa Foundation demonstrates that
GBV prevention is a shared responsibility that must extend beyond policy rooms and into the
everyday lives of people across Kano.