On the eve of the FIFA Soccer 2010 World Cup, Gender Links (GL) and the Gender and Media Diversity Centre (GMDC) will be spearheading awareness raising campaigns, producing publications and hosting seminars around gender and 2010. In line with the SADC Gender Protocol on Gender and Development that sets 28 targets for the achievement of gender equality by 2015 and with an event of epic proportions about to land on our shores, there is no better time than 2010 to get the ball rolling!

December 10th, 2009

On December 10th, 2009 Gender Links hosted a day long event to kick off their campaign, "Score a Goal for Gender Equality". The day featured presentations from panelists as well as five seperate working group sessions, which addressed the gendered aspects of Soccer 2010. The Gender and Media Diversity Journal: Issue 7 "Gender, Media and Sport" was launched and participants attended a soccer match from two local women's soccer leagues. Sister events were hosted simultaneously across the SADC region.

To read a review of the days events, as well as papers presented, click here.

Soccer 2010 at Beijing plus 15
March 1 - 12th, 2010

Gender Links will be attending the fifteen year review of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action at the United Nations Headquarters in New York. At this conference, Gender Links will host the panel, "Score a goal for gender equality: Gender and Soccer 2010" as part of the NGO parallel event series. This panel will be followed by a one hour cyber dialogue, which will connect those wishing to participate but unable to attend the Conference.

Beijing plus Fifteen offers an unparralled opportunity for communication, idea generation and mobilising amonst those commited to gender equity. This is an opportune moment to raise awareness around soccer 2010, and the impact it will have on the women of Southern Africa.

To participate in our cyber dialogue on Gender and Soccer 2010 contact Jennifer Elle Lewis at gmdcmanager@genderlinks.org.za