Women football players in Tanzania are increasingly visible on the field, within their communities, and across digital platforms. This growing visibility brings new opportunities, including access to networks, sponsorship prospects, learning spaces, and platforms to amplify their voices. At the same time, it exposes young women to heightened risks of Technology-Facilitated Gender-Based Violence (TFGBV), including online harassment, cyberbullying, stalking, threats, impersonation, and the non-consensual sharing of personal images. For many young female athletes, digital abuse does not remain confined to online spaces. It directly affects mental well-being, self-esteem, performance on the field, and, in some cases, their willingness to remain engaged in sport. These risks intersect with broader gender inequalities within sporting environments, limited safeguarding mechanisms, and social norms that discourage women and girls from speaking out.
Translating Strategy into Action: Safeguarding Women Football Players Ahead of the Dar es Salaam Regional League 2026
By Communication team
In preparation for the Dar es Salaam Regional League 2026, Global Impact Transformation (GIT), in partnership with WILDAF Tanzania, YANA Corp, and the Women’s Premier League Tanzania, convened a comprehensive GBV and digital safety capacity-building training for women football players. The engagement was held at the Tanzania Football Federation (TFF) venue and was graced by Ms. Stephania Kabumba from the TFF Gender Department. The training strengthened players’ knowledge and practical skills on the safe and responsible use of digital platforms, prevention and response to Technology-Facilitated Gender-Based Violence (TFGBV), personal protection and early risk identification, psychological well-being and peer support, as well as leadership development and safeguarding within teams. Through facilitated dialogue and practical exercises, participants strengthened their ability to navigate digital risks, document abuse, access reporting and referral pathways, and support one another within team environments.
Beyond digital safety, the engagement strengthened participants’ understanding of GBV prevention, survivor-centered responses, and early risk identification within sports environments. Sessions emphasized self-awareness, discipline, positive lifestyle choices, and mental well-being recognizing the holistic needs of young women navigating competitive sport, public scrutiny, and social pressures. Participating teams included Sayari Women, Mtoni Queens, Masala Princess, Muungano Queens, Mshikamano City, Tanzanite Princess, The Eleven Stars, and Mbagala Queens. Bringing teams together fostered peer learning and collective reflection on how to build safer, more respectful team cultures grounded in dignity and accountability.
“Sport should be a space of protection and growth. When players, coaches, and institutions work together, safeguarding becomes part of the culture, not an afterthought.”
Facilitator, GBV & Safeguarding Training Session
Sport offers a powerful platform for challenging harmful norms and promoting positive gender relations. Women football players, as visible figures in their communities, play a critical role in shaping attitudes around respect, equality, and non-violence. By equipping players with knowledge on TFGBV, leadership, and safeguarding, the initiative strengthens their capacity to act as advocates for change within teams, families, and wider community spaces. This contributes to broader commitments on gender equality, youth empowerment, and the safe participation of women and girls in public and digital life
Looking Ahead:
Building on this engagement, GIT and partners will continue to:
- Expand similar TFGBV and safeguarding trainings to additional regions and leagues,
- Support peer-led digital safety and safeguarding sessions within teams,
- Strengthen referral pathways and survivor-centered support mechanisms, and
- Deepen collaboration with sports institutions to institutionalize safeguarding standards.
Through sustained, community-rooted partnerships, Global Impact Transformation is advancing a vision where women football players can pursue their ambitions in environments that are safe, respectful, and enabling both on the field and online. Addressing TFGBV is not peripheral; it is central to ensuring that women and girls can participate fully, confidently, and with dignity in sport and public life.
