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Across playgrounds, dusty fields and community pitches, sport offers millions of girls, including African girls far more than physical fitness. It brings confidence, discipline and resilience that can shape their futures. Yet despite these proven benefits, girls around the world are still dropping out of sport at nearly twice the rate of boys by age 14. The reasons are varied: stereotypes, body-image concerns, limited access to female role models, and social or cultural expectations that pull girls away from sport.
Experts believe this pattern can change. As the world celebrates what many describe as an “era-defining” moment for women’s sport – with events like the Women’s Rugby World Cup, World Athletics Championships, ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup and UEFA Women’s Euro taking centre stage – UN Women spoke to two sporting icons about what truly keeps girls in the game. Turkish volleyball star Eda Erdem and Brazilian football legend Marta Vieira da Silva, a UN Women Goodwill Ambassador, shared reflections that resonate globally and on the African continent. Their insights are woven through this article, alongside six evidence-based tips to help parents, coaches and communities keep girls active and engaged.
Listen, and let her lead
Not every girl wants to be captain or score the winning goal. The most important step is giving girls the freedom to discover which sport or activity excites them. It might be football, netball, athletics, swimming, dance or martial arts. Girls who feel ownership over their journey are more likely to keep playing.
In many African contexts, fewer than a quarter of girls participate regularly in organised sport. Deeply rooted cultural norms, family responsibilities and early marriage often push girls out of sport before they find what inspires them. Erdem’s words remind us why choice matters: “If life is like a match full of challenges, then sports – especially team sports – are like training for it… continuing is what helped us succeed.”
Focus on encouragement, not perfection
Praise effort and growth rather than results. Avoid comments about body shape or weight and instead highlight what her body can do: its strength, speed or coordination. Positive words can help girls see sport as a safe space where mistakes are part of learning rather than a source of shame.
In African settings, where girls may already feel sport is “not for them”, consistent encouragement makes an even bigger difference in keeping them motivated and involved.
Talk about the tough stuff
As girls reach adolescence, they begin to face new challenges, including concerns about body image, comparing themselves to others, dips in confidence, fear of being judged and practical as well as social barriers linked to periods.
Across Africa, many girls miss school or sport when on their periods due to lack of private toilets or affordable menstrual products. Marta Vieira da Silva reflects that overcoming discouragement and hardship was central to her journey: “My poor childhood and Mom definitely were the main reasons that kept me solid… so that I could continuously pursue my journey and dream.”
Families and coaches who talk openly about these challenges and normalise them help girls feel understood and more likely to stay engaged.
Make movement part of daily life
Sport does not have to mean formal competition. Families can build activity into daily life: evening walks, dancing at home, cycling or playing games in the yard. In many African communities where facilities are limited, informal play and community matches keep girls active and connected.
Watch women’s sports together
Watching women athletes compete shows girls what they too can achieve. Whether it is big tournaments like the UEFA Women’s European Championship, the Olympics and Paralympics, or local women’s matches, seeing women play helps girls believe that sport is for them as well, and that women can be leaders, break barriers and succeed. Eda Erdem sums it up: “Being in sports also means breaking gender stereotypes… when you do not give up, you inspire others around you.”
Remind her that sport builds life skills
Sport teaches teamwork, time management, leadership and problem-solving. Research shows 85 per cent of women who played sport as girls credit those skills with shaping their professional success. In Africa, sport can also help keep girls in school longer and reduce early pregnancy.
Applying these tips in Africa
For African athletes, these six tips are especially powerful when adapted to local realities. Coaches and families can prioritise low-cost or community-based activities when formal clubs are limited. Talking openly about periods, challenging cultural stereotypes that sport is “unfeminine” and celebrating local female role models can make sport feel safer and more welcoming. Even small actions like praising effort at a community match or organising girls-only sessions, can help more African girls stay in sport and unlock the lifelong benefits it brings.
Why this matters now
Africa stands at a turning point. As more women’s tournaments gain attention and investment in grassroots sport increases, there is a chance to build a generation of confident, resilient young women. Keeping girls in sport is not just about medals. It is about healthier, fairer communities and helping every girl realise her potential.
Every sprint on a dusty pitch, every after-school practice and every challenge overcome helps shape girls who can lead, inspire and transform the future. And that is worth fighting for.