The Just Play Gender Equality Program successfully concluded the 2024 season in Tongatapu. For the past five months, our program was delivered across 74 Government Primary Schools from the Eastern District to the Town District.
Throughout the past five months of delivering the program, the Just Play staff and volunteers worked tirelessly to deliver interactive sessions that encouraged both genders to play together, promoting physical activities, teamwork, and life skills. We have witnessed participants discover new skills and are excitement at being able to participate.
School principals, teachers and participants’ feedbacks have helped us to learn how our program is useful and influences their lives. Tu’aliku’s School Principal, Selaima ‘Aukafolau said,“The children’s actions in the class tells me how the program imapcts them. I notice every Thursday that, they are very active and willing to do what they have been told to do, knowing that the program will be here in the afternoon.”
However, on the other hand, one of the participants from Veitongo’s Government Middle School, Folau Selui expressed what the program has taught him. “This program taught me that I have a role as a boy to use my voice to end violence by speaking up or reporting if I witness any violence and to help girls not to experience harassment in the field of play.”
While the Gender Equality program has ended in Tongatapu, the program is currently continuing at one of the outer islands of Tonga, the Vava’u Islands, delivering the Just Play Gender Equality and Safeguarding Awareness Program through fun festivals. The program will be deliver to 17 Government Primary School within four days focusing on promoting Gender Equality and Safeguarding Awareness. The purpose of the program is to help children understand that boys and girls are equal and are entitled to the same rights, choices and opportunities.
Officer in charge of Vava’u Football Association, Manatu Liava’a explained how thrilled they are to have the Just Play program on the island.
“We are happy that the Just Play Program is back, because this is one of the program that benefits most of our community here. When the program was here last year, most of the communities had football teams participating to our Local Major League Competitions and other football programs,”
“It’s good that they are back as a reminding to our children the important of healthy lifestyles. It is very interesting that this year they are focusing on Gender Equality and Safeguarding Awareness program. I believe it is very important to deliver this topic to the children to help them understand that everyone should have the right to have equal opportunities in school or sport. Not only that, the important of encouraging and creating safe environment for children to play in a comfort zone and not experiencing violence in school or sports”, she said.
On the next few weeks, the program will be reaching to the island of Ha’apai focusing on promoting the significant of equal opportunities for both genders and giving the chance for children to discover their ability in a fun and safe environment. In Ha’apai, the program will be carry out to eight Government Primary Schools and three churches Primary schools in four days.
We would like to acknowledge the Football Australia, UEFA Foundation for children, Australian Aid, Team Up and all our donors for their on-going support.
