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An empowered and inclusive society is not only a moral imperative, but also essential for world progress and economic development. In an empowered and inclusive society, families thrive, communities prosper, and economies thrive. Access to education and opportunities and the elimination of gender stereotypes are effective ways to empower communities and women. International Women’s Day is observed on March 8 every year to recognize the achievements and contributions of women in all aspects of life and to promote gender equality. More than just a celebration, International Women’s Day also emphasizes the need for equal access to resources and opportunities and, most importantly, mutual respect, thereby spreading the importance of empowered and inclusive communities.

An empowered and inclusive society is not only a moral imperative, but also essential for world progress and economic development. In an empowered and inclusive society, families thrive, communities prosper, and economies thrive. Access to education and opportunities and the elimination of gender stereotypes are effective ways to empower communities and women.

The transformative power of sport can promote inclusion, strengthen community cohesion, not limited by gender, age or socioeconomic status, and provide a common ground for all. By creating an enabling environment, sports can be a powerful tool for empowering girls and women as it builds their confidence, courage and self-efficacy. It promotes holistic development of individuals and creates an inclusive environment where women’s talents are recognised, their voices are heard and their rights are respected. It has the power to motivate, inspire and transform individuals, communities and the world.

Recognizing the gap in equal access to opportunities for boys and girls in rural communities, the sports development initiative of the Rural Development Trust (RDT), Anantapur Sports Academy (ASA) is committed to harnessing the power of sports to bring about social change in rural communities in India. To achieve this vision, ASA works to create equal opportunities for boys and girls in sports, educate children and youth on life skills and values, raise awareness about social issues and empower young people by providing leadership opportunities.

ASA’s initiatives include the Rural Anantapur Sports League, Co-ed Festival, Non-residential Camps and India’s first Under-16 Girls Football Championship, Inspire Cup, which ensure that girls in rural communities have equal opportunities to participate in sports. Initiatives such as the Women Youth Leadership Programme, Women Internship Programme and Entrepreneurship Workshops encourage young women to pursue their dreams.

These initiatives to engage boys and girls equally in the program have had a positive impact, with girls’ participation increasing. Over the years, the percentage of girls participating in ASA programs has grown by more than 46%, from 3,000 girls in 2017-18 to over 4,400 in 2023-24. Meanwhile, the percentage of female youth leaders has increased by 35%, with 89 young women actively participating in the program. From the grassroots to residential colleges, these young women have grown personally and professionally, breaking existing barriers and becoming role models in their communities.

Some such role model stories include B Anusha, a part of the renowned Indian National Women’s Football Team that won the Asian Games gold medal in 2023; Anjali Devi, the ASA Residential College U-17 Girls Team coach; and Anusha, a young footballer from ASA Residential College who has demonstrated unparalleled excellence in sports and life. These achievements highlight the importance of creating equal development opportunities for women and further inspire young girls and boys in rural communities.

This International Women’s Day, Anantapur Sports Academy celebrated all the achievements and progress these young women have made so far in their journey towards social change and empowerment. The International Women’s Day celebrations took place from March 1 to 8, with 2,438 girls and boys participating in fun activities and games organized by a team of 84 youth leaders. In addition to these activities, a series of social media posts showcased the progress made by these young women who are part of the ASA program.

International Women’s Day is a reminder of the progress we have made and an opportunity to recommit ourselves to building an inclusive world. Together, we can harness the power of sports to build an empowered and inclusive world.