Women want equal treatment as male football counterparts

Young women are advocating for fairness and equal treatment when it comes to football matters.

The young women players said they feel they do not get the support they require when it comes to women's football.

The girls were speaking during the fourth edition of the “I am Priceless” tournament, which was won by Achievers Ladies after beating Matasia Starlets 3-0 on a penalty shoot-out following a barren draw in Kajiado.

The tournament aimed to advocate for fairness and equal treatment of girls in the football field.

Speaking on behalf of the others, Blessings Cheruto aka 'Rembo' said: “It’s painful because at times we feel women tournaments do not get the necessary support required. Besides, even when we play in the same category as men, we are given less in terms of awards compared to our male counterparts,” she noted.

Politicians were also blamed for shying away from such community-enriching tournaments with participants accusing them of only being interested in tournaments that give them political mileage.

They were further accused of making the players dependent on money while at the same time shunning tournaments meant to upgrade their intellectual property and welfare.

“It is high time youth in Kenya realized their worth and refused to be used in pushing certain agendas. It is now becoming a use-and-dump relationship,” Jackline Saleiyan, a peace ambassador revealed.

Ruth Wangu of The Priceless GYW said, “Even as we play, every kick and every goal scored is not just a victory in the field. It is a strike against unfriendly socio-cultural norms of GBV against girls; a leap to equality and a powerful kick that shatters the glass ceiling aimed at amplifying the voices of girls and young women to dream without boundaries and to ensure SHE LEADS.”

The tournament also saw those present taken through Conflict resolution strategies by National Cohesion and Integration Commission representative, Ben Asin and Advocacy strategies by Saleiyan, who is also an anti-GBV champion and philanthropist.