Plan Indonesia Launches Girls Football 3.0 in Soe: Tackling Gender Inequality Through Sports
16 July 2025
Soe, July 16, 2024 – Girls continue to face barriers and inequality when it comes to leadership, learning about gender equality, and challenging traditional gender norms in their communities. Today (16/07), Yayasan Plan International Indonesia (Plan Indonesia), in collaboration with the Government of South Central Timor (TTS) Regency, officially launched the Girls Football 3.0 project — a platform designed to strengthen girls’ leadership and combat gender discrimination through football.
The high prevalence of violence against women and children, limited public awareness about child protection, and the strong grip of patriarchal norms in East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) have raised concern among various stakeholders. A lack of access to accurate information about Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) and an underdeveloped child protection system have only worsened the discrimination and violence experienced by girls and young women in the region.
“Girls Football 3.0 targets over 1,000 girls who we hope will inspire their peers, teachers, and parents — not only through football, but also by addressing issues like discrimination, bullying, leadership, and solidarity. Beyond playing, they will also campaign for equality in schools as peer educators. Our hope is that this initiative sparks sustainable change and empowers these girls to become strong, resilient, and capable future leaders,” said Dini Widiastuti, Executive Director of Plan Indonesia.
The project will be implemented in 14 schools in TTS and 5 schools in Manggarai, NTT, supported by commitments from local governments, schools, communities, and the Indonesian football association to create inclusive and equitable spaces for girls.
“Thank you, Plan Indonesia, for your support in South Central Timor through the Girls Football program, which promotes football for girls,” said Eduard Markus Lioe, Regent of TTS.
Through Girls Football 3.0, football teams for girls aged 12–15 will be established in schools to provide safe and supportive spaces for girls to train and compete. Beyond promoting participation in sports, the initiative will also build the capacity of children, teachers, and parents on issues such as gender- and age-based violence, SRHR, and child protection. The project also aims to strengthen coaches’ and football associations’ understanding of non-discrimination principles.
Vanya and Diana, youth representatives from Plan Indonesia’s Youth Advisory Panel in Soe, shared:
“Girls Football is important, especially for girls like us. We want to be able to express our interests, talents, and potential — including in sports. Girls need to be empowered through sports. It’s proof that strength and spirit can also come from young women.”
As part of its long-term vision, the program will also train teachers to become certified football coaches and give girls access to football competitions — paving the way for them to explore potential careers in the world of sports.
