As women’s football continues its impressive rise across Africa,a crucial challenge is emerging: addressing the taboo surrounding players’ menstrual health.
Kenyan international Esse Akida,who has experienced professional football both in Africa and Europe,has observed a stark difference in attitudes towards menstruation.
“In the teams I played professionally for, we had the option of not playing during our periods, but here in Kenya that was not possible,” Akida told BBC Sport Africa. ”There were teammates who had heavy periods and who could not play during this period. I noticed on my period, but it’s not very pleasant.”
The striker,currently a free agent after stints in Greece,Turkey,and Israel,began her career in Kenya with clubs like Matuu and Thika Queens. Her experiences in Africa highlight the urgent need for greater understanding and support surrounding this issue.
“I remember telling one of my coaches that I wasn’t comfortable playing while on my period,” says the 32-year-old. ”He understood that I didn’t want too play because I thought I was a superstar.”
Fortunately, the Confederation of African Football (Caf) has been actively working to break the silence surrounding menstrual health since 2021. Recognizing the importance of creating a supportive habitat for female athletes, Caf is striving to combat the stigma and ensure that players have the resources and understanding they need to manage their menstrual cycles effectively.
In a groundbreaking move to support female athletes, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) is tackling a long-avoided topic: menstruation. Recognizing the unique physiological needs of women, CAF is working to create a more inclusive and supportive environment for female footballers across the continent.
Meskerem Goshime, head of women’s football at CAF, revealed to BBC Sport Africa that the organization is actively addressing the issue. “We don’t even talk about it as a family,” she said, highlighting the taboo surrounding menstruation in many African cultures.
CAF’s initiative aims to educate coaches and team staff, who are predominantly male, about the menstrual cycle and its impact on athletic performance. “We had a conversation about the menstrual cycle and the fact that players go through four phases and depending on these phases their performance can vary,” Goshime explained.
She emphasized the importance of recognizing the distinct physiological needs of women. “It feels like a female athlete is treated like a male athlete,but women are not short men. Women are different in terms of physiology,” Goshime stated.
CAF’s efforts extend beyond simply raising awareness. The organization is working to normalize conversations about menstruation and break down the stigma surrounding it. “The menstrual cycle is considered taboo in many African cultures,” Goshime acknowledged.“But when we talk about it again and again, it becomes part of the discussion.”
Period Poverty
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CAF’s commitment to supporting female athletes extends beyond addressing menstruation. The organization is also tackling the issue of period poverty, which disproportionately affects women and girls in Africa. By providing access to sanitary products and education, CAF aims to ensure that female footballers can train and compete without facing unnecessary barriers.
African women’s football is experiencing a surge in popularity, but a notable challenge persists: period poverty. This lack of access to sanitary products is hindering the progress of many talented athletes across the continent.
A 2023 study by FIFA’s Women’s Health, Wellbeing and Performance Project revealed a startling statistic: approximately 35% of female footballers in Africa resort to using old rags as a substitute for sanitary products. This highlights the urgent need for intervention and support.
Esse Akida,a prominent Kenyan footballer who has represented the Harambee Starlets since 2012,shared her personal experience. “In my community, menstruation has stopped girls from taking up football because it is arduous to find money to buy sanitary napkins,” Akida said. “The girls had to find a balance between playing and staying at home. I was lucky to have a mother who supported me. All my comrades from Kilifi did not have the same luxury. It was disheartening to see.”
Akida is hopeful that the efforts of organizations like CAF and FIFA will bring about positive change. She also advocates for African teams to prioritize the recruitment of more female staff, including coaches. ”Hire female coaches to look after the players, or at least have more women on the bench,” she urged. “Even though we want tactically gifted coaches, players will be more comfortable discussing these kinds of things with female coaches.”
Champions League Spurs Growth
The UEFA Women’s Champions League is playing a pivotal role in elevating the profile of women’s football globally. The tournament’s growing popularity is attracting more investment and attention, creating opportunities for players and inspiring a new generation of fans.
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) is banking on its Women’s champions League to elevate the status of women’s football across the continent. Launched in 2021, the annual tournament brings together eight regional qualifiers for a final showdown, showcasing the best female talent Africa has to offer.
“This competition provides a platform for female players to showcase their talent on the continent, thereby raising the profile of the sport in general,” said CAF Head of women’s Football, Nathalie Goshime. “It allowed many players to be spotted by European and even African teams.”
Goshime acknowledges that there’s still work to be done in terms of fan engagement. Attendance at the recent tournament held in Morocco was lower than hoped for. “I think we don’t always talk about it, but we see a lot of movement within the continent,” she said, highlighting the growing interest in women’s football.
This year’s tournament saw TP Mazembe of the Democratic Republic of Congo clinch their first title, defeating former champions AS FAR of Morocco 1-0. The victory marks a significant milestone for Congolese women’s football and underscores the growing competitiveness of the tournament.
While CAF is committed to expanding the reach and impact of the Women’s Champions League, there are currently no plans to increase the number of teams participating in the final stage. The focus remains on building a strong foundation for the competition and nurturing the next generation of african female football stars.
The success of African players on the international stage is also helping to raise the profile of women’s football on the continent. As more young girls see their role models excelling, the hope is that participation and interest in the sport will continue to grow.
Zambian soccer star Barbra Banda has been named the BBC’s Women’s Footballer of the Year for 2024, marking a historic moment for African athletes. This achievement comes on the heels of her compatriot, Racheal Kundananji, becoming the world’s most expensive female soccer player at the start of the year.
Both Banda and Kundananji are prominent figures in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL), the highly popular American professional soccer league. Their success is inspiring a new generation of aspiring athletes, according to Zambian sports journalist, Ms. Goshime.
“It’s a testament to the impact of African players around the world,” she said. “It’s a very important message: you can become a global sensation if you play football.”
Banda, who plays for the Orlando Pride, is the second African player to receive the prestigious BBC award, following in the footsteps of Nigerian star Asisat Oshoala. Her victory highlights the growing recognition of African talent on the global soccer stage.
Image caption: Zambia captain Barbra Banda is the second African player to win the BBC Women’s footballer of the Year award, after Nigeria’s Asisat Oshoala.
The achievements of Banda and Kundananji are not only a source of pride for Zambia but also serve as a powerful inspiration for young athletes across the African continent, demonstrating that with dedication and talent, they too can reach the pinnacle of the sport.
This article discusses the rise of women’s football in Africa,highlighting the challenges and triumphs faced by female athletes. Here’s a breakdown:
**Key Points:**
* **Period Poverty:** A major hurdle for female footballers is the lack of access to sanitary products. The article cites a FIFA study revealing that 35% of African female footballers resort to using old rags.
* **CAF’s Support:** The Confederation of African Football (CAF) is actively tackling this issue by providing access to sanitary products and education.
* **Champions League Impact:** The UEFA Women’s Champions League is gaining traction globally and inspiring a new generation of African female footballers.CAF’s Women’s Champions League is also playing a crucial role in elevating the sport’s status on the continent.
* **Role Models:** The success of African players on the international stage is inspiring young girls and helping to break down barriers.
**Quotes:**
* **Esse Akida (Kenyan footballer):** “In my community,menstruation has stopped girls from taking up football becuase it is arduous to find money to buy sanitary napkins.”
* **Nathalie Goshime (CAF Head of Women’s football):** “This competition provides a platform for female players to showcase their talent on the continent,thereby raising the profile of the sport in general.”
**Overall Message:**
The article paints a picture of progress and challenges within African women’s football. while period poverty remains a significant obstacle, organizations like CAF and the growing popularity of the Champions League are helping to pave the way for a brighter future for female athletes on the continent.
