Inspire, Educate and Unite: The Pan-African Summit on Gender-Based Violence and Mental Health
On June 28th and June 29th, VAP, our Homeless World Cup Member Country in Kenya will host the Africa Women’s Cup, ahead of the tournament alongside the Homeless World Cup Foundation there will be a Pan-African Summit on Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and mental health taking place on Friday 27th June which will include a diverse coalition of stakeholders, including government officials and policymakers focused on gender equality, youth development, and sports reform across the region.
GBV is a crisis of global proportions. Worldwide, 1 in 3 women experience violence, and in in sub-Saharan Africa the situation is particularly stark, with over 45% of women experiencing violence. Addressing this pervasive issue requires concerted efforts, and a significant continental event is on the horizon.
On June 27, 2025, Nairobi, Kenya, will be the host city for the Pan-African Summit on GBV and Mental Health. Hosted by Vijana Amani Pamoja (VAP) in partnership with the Homeless World Cup Foundation, this summit aims to provide a crucial platform for the continent. The core objectives include amplifying the voices of survivors, promoting strategies grounded in trauma-informed care, and spotlighting the transformative role that sport can play in both preventing and responding to GBV.
The summit aligns with the broader concept of sport for development and peace; an ideology centred on using education and storytelling to foster unity and peace. This approach is already being put into practice through initiatives like the "Football to Protect Vulnerable Women from Exploitation" project.
Zoe Hopkins, International Network Manager at the Homeless World Cup Foundation, shared her thoughts on the impact the project is making since it’s introduction in 2024:
“Since the launch of the project last year, over 850 girls and woman, and 500 boys and men have directly benefited from an increased understanding of gender-based violence and how to reduce it, they are sharing this knowledge with peers, family and community members to amplify the reach.
“The project has also allowed staff from the four countries to visit one another to mutually learn from their programmes so that they are stronger as a united front and effectively addressing the issue of gender-based violence together. The exciting Pan-African Summit being held the day before our second Africa Women’s Cup in Nairobi, Kenya is a testament to the strength of the project and gives a platform to amplify voices and strategies in preventing and responding to gender-based violence.”
Action from last year’s Africa Women’s Cup which was held in Arusha, Tanzania.
A key achievement of the "Football to Protect Vulnerable Women from Exploitation" project has been the co-design and adaptation of two distinct curricula. These curricula are currently being delivered across four African countries that are members of the Homeless World Cup: Kenya, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
One curriculum is designed specifically for girls and women, focusing on GBV prevention, response, and protection. The second curriculum, aimed at boys and men, is aimed at understanding gender-based violence: becoming allies and promoting positive masculinities.
The goal of the summit is to educate, inspire and unite in pursuit of a world free of gender-based violence. As a global community we must act with urgency and draw the line of what is right and what is wrong. Become apart of the Football to Protect Vulnerable Women from Exploitation project and help us become a more united and peaceful world.