On June 30, 2023, a special sun rose in Pobè, in Benin’s Plateau department. For the first time in the history of handball, the omnisport stadium hosted the first official mixed-gender match in Benin. The experience is part of the “Awa-lôkan” project, implemented by REPAC-SJ-BENIN thanks to the Alley-oop Africa program run by NGO RAES with funding from the Agence Française de Développement-AFD. It marks the end of the 5-day local youth development camp held from June 26 to 30, 2023, and the birth of the “AWA-LÔKAN” sports academy for development, to which the young player-ambassadors are committed, now equipped and ready to work for the preservation of health through sport and the inclusion of gender in and through sport.
From 10 a.m. onwards, sheltered from Mother Nature’s threats, the Pobè stadium’s hanbdall pitch shook for an hour to the rhythm of the communicative warmth, the manifest solidarity, the lively emotions communicated, the healthy emulation and the demonstration of strength shown by the young handball players from the competing teams. The event pitted the mixed AS Lumière Awa Lôkan team from REPAC-SJ-BENIN against the mixed handball sports classes team from the commune of Pobè. The match, which took place in conditions meeting international standards, received outstanding support from the Red Cross, firefighters, security guards, health workers and Beninese scouts. The representation of the Departmental Sports Directorate in the person of Mr. Issa Djamal, Departmental Sports Director, and that of the Direction des Enseignements Secondaires in the person of Mrs. Janviette Fagbohoun, Departmental Educational Inspector, added to the resonance and sparkle of the event. Not forgetting the representation of local partners, opinion leaders and others.
AS Lumière Awa Lôkan’s victory was only the background to the comments that formed the basis of the participants’ general appreciation. In essence, we note the satisfaction of the spectating and curious public, the pride of the local authorities present, the joy and satisfaction of the organizers convinced of the scope and impact of this experience in the dynamics of gender equality and inclusion in and through sport for the achievement of sustainable development goals in Benin and Africa.
For all concerned, seeing young boys and girls sharing the same field for the first time as part of an official sporting challenge sends out a strong message, a call for the promotion of gender equality, capabilities and opportunities. Some could even be heard to testify that “you wouldn’t even know it was two different sexes playing”. Others even wished that the organizers would think of an official mixed-gender tournament, and not just an exhibition.
Thanks to this successful exercise, charged with emotion and hope, REPAC-SJ-BENIN has taken another step forward in its fight to deconstruct gender stereotypes and norms, its fight against discriminatory practices and discourse, and other social and societal habits that stand in the way of a culture of equality, equity, co-education and inclusion.
With the aim of continuing to make a big splash, the experiment aims to unleash the passions and interests of the world of sport for development. It is intended to be the driving force behind a new dynamic that integrates gender diversity and inclusion into sports offerings (training, competitions, championships, etc.) at local, national and international level.
