How can sports programs better serve girls and young women?

Can sports-based programs really help achieve development goals, particularly those on nutrition, education and women’s rights and health?

International nongovernmental organizations, U.N. agencies and corporations that were in attendance at last month’s Girl Power in Play symposium in Ottawa, Canada, seem to think so. The consensus at the conference — which was hosted by Women Deliver, UNICEF, Right to Play, One Goal and the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition — was that sports are an inexpensive but highly effective way to help improve the lives of girls and young women.

But while there is anecdotal evidence that shows how sports can reduce the incidences of child marriage, and increase the confidence and hone leadership skills of girls and young women, there remain many questions that need to be addressed to bring these programs a step further.