Sport and Social Change
WHY SPORT? WHY RUGBY?
Sport has long been recognized as a vehicle for social development. It teaches discipline, teamwork, and resilience. But T1 (touch) rugby carries a unique advantage: it is a mixed-gender, non-contact format that levels the playing field. Boys and girls compete together, rely on each other, and learn that strength comes in many forms.
Unlike traditional contact rugby, T1 eliminates the physical dominance factor, creating space where agility, strategy, and communication matter more than size. This shift in dynamics is precisely what makes it such a powerful tool for challenging harmful gender norms.
THE GBV CRISIS IN SCHOOLS:
Research consistently shows that schools can be sites where gender-based violence is normalized. Verbal harassment, physical intimidation, and sexual violence affect millions of learners with girls disproportionately impacted. UNESCO reports that nearly 246 million children experience school-related violence annually, much of it rooted in gender inequality.
The consequences extend far beyond the school gates: lower academic performance, higher dropout rates, mental health deterioration, and a cycle of violence that perpetuates into adulthood. Traditional interventions, awareness campaigns and policy changes are necessary but often insufficient on their own.
HOW T1 RUGBY PROGRAMMES WORK
Effective T1 rugby-based GBV programmes go beyond simply putting children on a field. They integrate structured life-skills modules into training sessions, using rugby as the hook and the metaphor. But the community has a critical role to play in the success of the programmes hence the need for engaging them at all levels to create awareness. Here's how:
01 Mixed-Gender Teams
By design, T1 rugby requires boys and girls to play together. This normalizes cooperation across genders and breaks down the 'us vs them' mentality that fuels GBV.
02 Consent and Boundaries on the Field
The touch-only rule becomes a powerful lesson: you must respect another person's body. Coaches use this as a springboard for discussions about consent in everyday life.
03 Leadership for All
Captaincy and decision-making roles rotate among all players, ensuring girls are seen and heard as leaders often for the first time in a school sport context.
04 Post-Session Reflections
Each training ends with a guided debrief where players discuss fairness, respect, and how the lessons on the field apply to classrooms, homes, and relationships.
REAL IMPACT, REAL CHANGE:
Programmes running in schools across South Africa, Kenya, and the UK have reported measurable shifts in attitudes. A 2024 study from the University of Cape Town found that schools running weekly T1 rugby sessions saw a 34% reduction in reported incidents of gender-based bullying over a single academic year.
Teachers report that boys who participate become more vocal allies against harassment. Girls report feeling safer, more confident, and more willing to speak up. The ripple effects extend into classrooms, where mixed-gender collaboration improves across subjects.
"On the field, they learn that respect isn't optional, it’s the rule. And they carry that off the field." Coach Nomsa Dlamini, Johannesburg Schools Programme
A CALL TO ACTION:
T1 rugby is not a silver bullet. Addressing GBV requires systemic change from policy reform, teacher training, community engagement, and survivor support services. But sport offers something that policy documents cannot: a lived experience of equality.
When a young boy passes the ball to a girl because she's the fastest player on the team, something shifts. When a girl leads the team talk and everyone listens, a new normal begins to take root. These moments, repeated week after week, build the foundation for a generation that doesn't tolerate violence on or off the field. The try line isn't just on the field. It's a future where every child feels safe, respected, and empowered.
TACKLING GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE THROUGH SPORT: COMMUNITIES IN WAKISO TAKE ACTION
Across Uganda, communities are stepping forward to confront one of society’s most urgent challenges, gender-based violence (GBV). In Wakiso District, sport is becoming a powerful vehicle for change, uniting leaders, religious and cultural heads, parents, teachers, young people and key stakeholders such as the police, cultural, religious, municipal and educational institutions around a shared commitment to safer, more inclusive communities.
A MOVEMENT LED THROUGH SPORT:
Swans Sports Club, in partnership with the Uganda Rugby Union and with institutional backing from the Uganda Olympic Committee through Olympic Solidarity support, is implementing the G.I.R.L.S - Girls in Rugby Learning Through Sport Initiative. This programme uses rugby and structured life-skills education to prevent GBV, promote gender equality, and build leadership among young people.
OUR VISION
To empower 10,000 girls and boys aged 12–18 with the skills, confidence, and safe environments they need to thrive on and off the field.
WHERE WE WORK:
The initiative engages schools and communities across Wakiso District and is expanding to additional regions through partnerships with education and sports stakeholders.
HOW SPORT DRIVES GBV PREVENTION:
The Programme is grounded in a clear pathway for change:
Sport participation
Creates safe, inclusive spaces for girls and boys
Builds teamwork, respect, and positive gender norms
Develops leadership, confidence, and voice
Reduces tolerance for violence and harmful stereotypes
Strengthens safeguarding and reporting systems
Leads to safer schools and communities
Rugby’s core values of integrity, respect, solidarity, discipline, and teamwork make it a natural platform for challenging harmful norms and promoting equality.
WHAT WE HAVE ACHIEVED SO FAR:
The initiative is already generating measurable impact through training, community engagement, and large-scale awareness activities.
Training of Trainers Workshop:
A district level capacity-building workshop equipped 280 coaches, safeguarding local persons, teachers, youth and community leaders with practical tools to:
• Integrate GBV prevention into sport and education programmes
• Apply safeguarding and child protection standards
• Deliver life-skills sessions through rugby structures
These trained leaders now serve as local champions for safe sport and gender equality.
Gender-Based Violence Awareness Festival:
A vibrant community festival used sport, dialogue, and performance to spark conversation and mobilize action:
• 200 direct participants engaged in structured activities
• 256 indirect beneficiaries reached through spectators, families, and community networks
The festival demonstrated how sport can bring communities together while addressing sensitive social issues in accessible ways.
Community Empowerment Forum: Leadership in Action:
A high-level Community Empowerment Forum brought together key duty bearers and influencers to strengthen coordinated local responses to gender-based violence.
Participants included:
• Community leaders
• Religious leaders
• Cultural leaders
• Municipal officers
• Headteachers
• Youth leaders
• Media
Key focus areas:
• Strengthening leadership accountability in GBV prevention
• Aligning school, community, and local government safeguarding systems
• Building clear referral and reporting pathways
• Mobilizing collective action through sport and education platforms
The forum reinforced the critical role of local leadership in creating safer schools, safer sport environments, and stronger protection systems for children and young people across Wakiso District.
Community outreach in Kazo, Nansana Municipality, Wakiso District
On International Women’s Day, a targeted outreach at Kazo Mixed Primary School convened over 70 participants, including:
• Parents
• Community leaders
• Teachers
• Youth
Through facilitated dialogue and a T1 Rugby demonstration, participants explored practical ways to prevent GBV, promote safeguarding, and strengthen collective responsibility for child protection.
Safeguarding as a Shared Responsibility
All programme activities are guided by strong safeguarding standards:
• Trained safeguarding focal persons
• Adult supervision and child protection protocols
• Safe reporting and referral pathways
• Inclusive participation for girls and boys
Safe sport is not optional; it is foundational to meaningful social impact.
Transforming Gender Norms:
The initiative goes beyond participation to address root causes of violence:
• Engaging boys as allies and men in promoting respect and equality
• Empowering girls’ leadership and confidence in public spaces
• Challenging harmful stereotypes and unequal power dynamics
Supporting communities to shift norms collectively
MONITORING, EVALUATION, AND LEARNING
Progress is tracked through:
• Participation records and demographic data
• Post-activity feedback and reflection sessions
• Community testimonials and case stories
• Continuous learning to improve programme delivery
This ensures accountability, quality, and evidence-based growth.
Why This Matters:
Gender-based violence undermines safety, education, and opportunity. Sport provides a unifying platform to:
• Reach young people early
• Engage families and community leaders
• Build practical life skills
• Promote dignity and equality
When communities play together, they learn to stand together.
Partnership and Global Alignment
The initiative contributes to global priorities on:
• Gender equality
• Safeguarding and safe sport
• Youth empowerment
• Good governance in sport
Peaceful and inclusive communities
VOICES FROM THE COMMUNITY
“Sport is helping our children learn respect and confidence. These conversations are changing how families think about violence.” Abraham Yampa, Parent “Rugby teaches teamwork and discipline. When combined with life skills, it becomes a powerful tool for shaping character.” Sulaiman Bukenya, Teacher and Rugby Coordinator, Wakiso district “Today I learned that boys and girls deserve equal opportunities and protection.” — Damalie Namulondo, Youth leader
JOIN THE MOVEMENT
We welcome collaboration with:
Sports federations and clubs
Schools and education authorities
Community and faith leaders
Development partners and funders
Policy makers and safeguarding advocates
Together, we can scale safe sport systems and empower the next generation. Sport can change the game on the field and in society.
Tackling G.B.V through T1 Rugby in Wakiso District
Sport has long been recognized as a vehicle for social development. It teaches discipline, teamwork, and resilience. But T1 (touch) rugby carries a unique advantage: it is a mixed-gender, non-contact format that levels the playing field. Boys and girls compete together, rely on each other, and learn that strength comes in many forms.
Unlike traditional contact rugby, T1 eliminates the physical dominance factor, creating space where agility, strategy, and communication matter more than size. This shift in dynamics is precisely what makes it such a powerful tool for challenging harmful gender norms.
THE GBV CRISIS IN SCHOOLS:
Research consistently shows that schools can be sites where gender-based violence is normalized. Verbal harassment, physical intimidation, and sexual violence affect millions of learners with girls disproportionately impacted. UNESCO reports that nearly 246 million children experience school-related violence annually, much of it rooted in gender inequality.
The consequences extend far beyond the school gates: lower academic performance, higher dropout rates, mental health deterioration, and a cycle of violence that perpetuates into adulthood. Traditional interventions, awareness campaigns and policy changes are necessary but often insufficient on their own.
HOW T1 RUGBY PROGRAMMES WORK
Effective T1 rugby-based GBV programmes go beyond simply putting children on a field. They integrate structured life-skills modules into training sessions, using rugby as the hook and the metaphor. But the community has a critical role to play in the success of the programmes hence the need for engaging them at all levels to create awareness. Here's how:
01 Mixed-Gender Teams
By design, T1 rugby requires boys and girls to play together. This normalizes cooperation across genders and breaks down the 'us vs them' mentality that fuels GBV.
02 Consent and Boundaries on the Field
The touch-only rule becomes a powerful lesson: you must respect another person's body. Coaches use this as a springboard for discussions about consent in everyday life.
03 Leadership for All
Captaincy and decision-making roles rotate among all players, ensuring girls are seen and heard as leaders often for the first time in a school sport context.
04 Post-Session Reflections
Each training ends with a guided debrief where players discuss fairness, respect, and how the lessons on the field apply to classrooms, homes, and relationships.
REAL IMPACT, REAL CHANGE:
Programmes running in schools across South Africa, Kenya, and the UK have reported measurable shifts in attitudes. A 2024 study from the University of Cape Town found that schools running weekly T1 rugby sessions saw a 34% reduction in reported incidents of gender-based bullying over a single academic year.
Teachers report that boys who participate become more vocal allies against harassment. Girls report feeling safer, more confident, and more willing to speak up. The ripple effects extend into classrooms, where mixed-gender collaboration improves across subjects.
"On the field, they learn that respect isn't optional, it’s the rule. And they carry that off the field." Coach Nomsa Dlamini, Johannesburg Schools Programme
A CALL TO ACTION:
T1 rugby is not a silver bullet. Addressing GBV requires systemic change from policy reform, teacher training, community engagement, and survivor support services. But sport offers something that policy documents cannot: a lived experience of equality.
When a young boy passes the ball to a girl because she's the fastest player on the team, something shifts. When a girl leads the team talk and everyone listens, a new normal begins to take root. These moments, repeated week after week, build the foundation for a generation that doesn't tolerate violence on or off the field. The try line isn't just on the field. It's a future where every child feels safe, respected, and empowered.
TACKLING GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE THROUGH SPORT: COMMUNITIES IN WAKISO TAKE ACTION
Across Uganda, communities are stepping forward to confront one of society’s most urgent challenges, gender-based violence (GBV). In Wakiso District, sport is becoming a powerful vehicle for change, uniting leaders, religious and cultural heads, parents, teachers, young people and key stakeholders such as the police, cultural, religious, municipal and educational institutions around a shared commitment to safer, more inclusive communities.
A MOVEMENT LED THROUGH SPORT:
Swans Sports Club, in partnership with the Uganda Rugby Union and with institutional backing from the Uganda Olympic Committee through Olympic Solidarity support, is implementing the G.I.R.L.S - Girls in Rugby Learning Through Sport Initiative. This programme uses rugby and structured life-skills education to prevent GBV, promote gender equality, and build leadership among young people.
OUR VISION
To empower 10,000 girls and boys aged 12–18 with the skills, confidence, and safe environments they need to thrive on and off the field.
WHERE WE WORK:
The initiative engages schools and communities across Wakiso District and is expanding to additional regions through partnerships with education and sports stakeholders.
HOW SPORT DRIVES GBV PREVENTION:
The Programme is grounded in a clear pathway for change:
Sport participation
Creates safe, inclusive spaces for girls and boys
Builds teamwork, respect, and positive gender norms
Develops leadership, confidence, and voice
Reduces tolerance for violence and harmful stereotypes
Strengthens safeguarding and reporting systems
Leads to safer schools and communities
Rugby’s core values of integrity, respect, solidarity, discipline, and teamwork make it a natural platform for challenging harmful norms and promoting equality.
WHAT WE HAVE ACHIEVED SO FAR:
The initiative is already generating measurable impact through training, community engagement, and large-scale awareness activities.
Training of Trainers Workshop:
A district level capacity-building workshop equipped 280 coaches, safeguarding local persons, teachers, youth and community leaders with practical tools to:
• Integrate GBV prevention into sport and education programmes
• Apply safeguarding and child protection standards
• Deliver life-skills sessions through rugby structures
These trained leaders now serve as local champions for safe sport and gender equality.
Gender-Based Violence Awareness Festival:
A vibrant community festival used sport, dialogue, and performance to spark conversation and mobilize action:
• 200 direct participants engaged in structured activities
• 256 indirect beneficiaries reached through spectators, families, and community networks
The festival demonstrated how sport can bring communities together while addressing sensitive social issues in accessible ways.
Community Empowerment Forum: Leadership in Action:
A high-level Community Empowerment Forum brought together key duty bearers and influencers to strengthen coordinated local responses to gender-based violence.
Participants included:
• Community leaders
• Religious leaders
• Cultural leaders
• Municipal officers
• Headteachers
• Youth leaders
• Media
Key focus areas:
• Strengthening leadership accountability in GBV prevention
• Aligning school, community, and local government safeguarding systems
• Building clear referral and reporting pathways
• Mobilizing collective action through sport and education platforms
The forum reinforced the critical role of local leadership in creating safer schools, safer sport environments, and stronger protection systems for children and young people across Wakiso District.
Community outreach in Kazo, Nansana Municipality, Wakiso District
On International Women’s Day, a targeted outreach at Kazo Mixed Primary School convened over 70 participants, including:
• Parents
• Community leaders
• Teachers
• Youth
Through facilitated dialogue and a T1 Rugby demonstration, participants explored practical ways to prevent GBV, promote safeguarding, and strengthen collective responsibility for child protection.
Safeguarding as a Shared Responsibility
All programme activities are guided by strong safeguarding standards:
• Trained safeguarding focal persons
• Adult supervision and child protection protocols
• Safe reporting and referral pathways
• Inclusive participation for girls and boys
Safe sport is not optional; it is foundational to meaningful social impact.
Transforming Gender Norms:
The initiative goes beyond participation to address root causes of violence:
• Engaging boys as allies and men in promoting respect and equality
• Empowering girls’ leadership and confidence in public spaces
• Challenging harmful stereotypes and unequal power dynamics
Supporting communities to shift norms collectively
MONITORING, EVALUATION, AND LEARNING
Progress is tracked through:
• Participation records and demographic data
• Post-activity feedback and reflection sessions
• Community testimonials and case stories
• Continuous learning to improve programme delivery
This ensures accountability, quality, and evidence-based growth.
Why This Matters:
Gender-based violence undermines safety, education, and opportunity. Sport provides a unifying platform to:
• Reach young people early
• Engage families and community leaders
• Build practical life skills
• Promote dignity and equality
When communities play together, they learn to stand together.
Partnership and Global Alignment
The initiative contributes to global priorities on:
• Gender equality
• Safeguarding and safe sport
• Youth empowerment
• Good governance in sport
Peaceful and inclusive communities
VOICES FROM THE COMMUNITY
“Sport is helping our children learn respect and confidence. These conversations are changing how families think about violence.” Abraham Yampa, Parent “Rugby teaches teamwork and discipline. When combined with life skills, it becomes a powerful tool for shaping character.” Sulaiman Bukenya, Teacher and Rugby Coordinator, Wakiso district “Today I learned that boys and girls deserve equal opportunities and protection.” — Damalie Namulondo, Youth leader
JOIN THE MOVEMENT
We welcome collaboration with:
Sports federations and clubs
Schools and education authorities
Community and faith leaders
Development partners and funders
Policy makers and safeguarding advocates
Together, we can scale safe sport systems and empower the next generation. Sport can change the game on the field and in society.