With an emphasis on sending out a strong message against child marriage in Rajasthan, the organisation collaborated with HAQ (Centre for Child Rights, Delhi), with the support of the Australian High Commission, to mobilise girls ages 10-18 to play football. The objective was to use sports, in particular football — which is traditionally seen in the villages as a ‘male sport’ — to break gender norms, help girls move beyond their family confines, take greater control over their bodies, be able to better negotiate their own aspirations and ultimately prevent their own early marriage, as well as those of others. This programme also encourages married girls to step out of their traditional roles of daughter-in-law, wife and mother.
The first roadblock was the pre-conditioning of the village girls as well as their little knowledge of the sport. MJAS organised several meetings, dialogues and activities with the girls and their families to persuade them to participate and support the football programme. The community, including teachers and even physical education teachers, felt that football was unsuitable for girls and that sports for girls was a sheer waste of time and that girls running around in an open field would attract undesirable attention.
Gradually, many parents and community leaders extended their support to this programme. Now many school authorities, teachers and physical training teachers support the project. This programme has already seen significant social change in the lives of these girls and in the prevailing attitudes in their villages. They also learnt to stand with each other and work together as a team. Today, they continue their personal and leadership development while chiselling their football skills. They are also exploring the possibility of pursuing coaching and other livelihood options.