Football can help to promote gender equality by providing equal access and opportunity for boys and girls. While it is recognised that, in certain contexts, cultural traditions do not enable equal access or mixed-sex engagement, there are a range of benefits that may accrue from involving both sexes.
Mixed-sex participation in football encompasses all forms of competition in which girls and boys play with and against one another. Allowing boys and girls to play together contributes to the emancipation of the two genders, improves tolerance and promotes mutual respect. By playing alongside boys, girls gain a more positive image of themselves, increase their self-confidence and become more aware of their abilities, while boys may simultaneously become more accepting of girls. It is recommended, where possible, that mixed-sex activities be considered for participants up to the age of 12, after which biological and physiological differences become more pronounced.
NB: all activities provided in the F4S app can be delivered as mixed-sex activities.
In addition to being accommodating to girls and boys and all gender identities and sexual orientations, it is important that football activities are inclusive and open to all. This means that access and involvement should not be limited by, or discriminated against, on the basis of age, sex, race, ethnicity, migratory status, gender, (dis)ability, socio-economic status or geographic location.
All F4S activities are designed to be as inclusive as possible so that everyone has the chance to play.