Factors influencing sports participation among girls and women in Somalia: A qualitative study.

Background
In Somalia, girls and women are less active than boys and men. Physical education in schools is not compulsory and girls’ enrolment in school is lower than boys. Sport-based programmes, including football, are used as a platform to promote personal and social development but tend to focus on men.
Purpose
We explored the individual, contextual, and system-level factors that impact sports participation among girls and women in Hargeisa, Somalia.
Methods
We conducted a systems-mapping workshop with 27 non-club members (<13 years) and interviewed 15 women’s football club members (13-45 years) and 18 stakeholders (e.g. community faith and lay leaders, parents, women and sports organisations, policy-makers). Interviews were transcribed and translated. Notes were taken at the workshop. Reflexive thematic analysis was conducted.
Results
There was low awareness and knowledge of the benefits of playing sports. Investment in women-friendly facilities and the capacity to develop women’s sports was lacking. Women-friendly facilities were perceived as vital as there were limited public spaces for girls and women to meet and socialise, while respecting the religious and cultural norms on modesty. Participants agreed that Islam does not preclude women from playing sports, there were however, different views on which sports were appropriate for women.
Conclusions
We found that gender norms, culture, religion, and individual factors intersect to influence sports participation among girls and women in Somalia. Addressing barriers to women’s sports participation requires addressing these factors.
Practical implications
Policymakers should increase investment and capacity to develop women’s sports. They should work with faith and community leaders and civil society to promote women’s sports by appropriately raising the visibility of girls and women playing sports. Physical education in schools should be made compulsory for all to improve physical literacy and promote the benefits of physical activity.
Funding:
UKRI Public Health Intervention Development Scheme (Ref:MR/W027534/1).