“First time ever in our life we have worn short”, said 17 year old kaushalya. Initially it was a challenge to wear ‘short’ for girls.
In the villages where girls are not able to see their life beyond the fringes of their veil, they get married off at minor age; an initiative by Chetna Vikas which trains girls to play football is significant step to bring a change. As a 2008 report published by United Nations detailed how sport can benefit girls and women by enhancing health and well being; fostering self esteem and empowerment; facilitate social inclusion and integration. Though the difficulties faced by girls to play football, as 16 year old Kalawati who plays at striker position said: “initially, the villagers were reluctant to let us play this game as they thought our modesty will be compromised. They were not able to accept us to run around with abandon kicking the ball wearing t-shirt and shorts”. Moreover, many village elders ridiculed “now their study will be degenerated. They all will be failed in exams”. Such words didn’t deter girls from playing football. In fact, they all got good marks than before as Indu Kumari who recently passed her 10th grade’s exam with first division said “I have silenced everyone who was scornful about my playing football”. Gradually villagers’ perspective is changing. Now girls play around village in shorts and elders feel proud that their girls go to other villages to play football. Girls do have football matches with boys’ team as well!