Girls Take the Field: Empowering Football at UNIS Hanoi

Now in its third year at UNIS Hanoi, this activity was created after teachers noticed that certain play spaces, such as the field, were largely dominated by boys playing football. This trend was also reflected in the sign-ups for co-educational after-school football activities. Ms. Maggie and Mr. Matt spoke with Grade 4 and 5 students to understand why this was happening. The main reasons included:

• A mixed-gender environment on the football pitch does not always feel supportive.
• Girls don’t feel included in games.

The purpose of creating this girls-only activity was to provide a supportive environment for our athletes to develop their skills. It offers them the opportunity to play, practice, make mistakes, and learn—all while having fun. The ASA culminated in a football festival, where our student athletes had the chance to compete against teachers during recess. The goal of this event was to celebrate their progress, give them experience playing in front of a crowd, and raise awareness of the importance of girls’ participation in football.

As we continue fostering awareness, we encourage families to support these conversations at home. To help facilitate discussions, here are some key questions to consider as a family:

What are some of the challenges that girls face when participating in sports?

• Lack of access: Girls have 1.3 million fewer opportunities to play high school sports than boys.
• Fewer positive role models: There is a need for more visible female athletes in various sports.
• Social stigma: Girls may experience bullying, social isolation, or negative performance evaluations.

What can we do to encourage more girls to participate in sports?

• Be supportive.
• Make it fun.
• Be patient—developing skills takes time!
• Let them choose. There are many different sports, and different people enjoy different activities.

How can we make sports more inclusive for girls?

• Create a positive and supportive environment. All students should feel welcome in sports, regardless of their ability level. Encouraging an atmosphere where students feel comfortable trying new things and making mistakes is essential.
• Celebrate women in sports. Watch women’s sporting events at home and attend live matches where possible. The UEFA Women’s European Championships kicks off this summer at the end of July—consider watching some matches with your family!