UNODC supports women's football to tackle violence, crime and drug use in Kyrgyzstan
20 March 2018 - To coincide with activities for International Women's Day, UNODC and the Football Federation of the Kyrgyz Republic (FFKR) hosted a Women's Football Tournament in Bishkek earlier this month. 150 girls from Bishkek and various villages surrounding the Kyrgyz capital participated in the tournament, which was aimed at promoting civic values and disseminating the benefits of sport in keeping youth away from drugs, crime and violence.
"Together with UNODC, we pay great attention to the prevention of juvenile delinquency," stated Ms. Aigul Ryskulova, Vice-Mayor of Bishkek and founder of the women's football league in Kyrgyzstan. "Unfortunately, this problem exists, and only together can we change the situation for the better." She noted that based on an initiative by the Asian Football Federation, 8 March is also celebrated as Women's Football Day.
"Our work at the Football Federation of the Kyrgyz Republic is not just about developing football as a sport. Our goal is to promote social responsibility and educate future generation of our country. Sport is a universal language, which unites people. I call on everybody to join our common sports family and promote the development of our country", said Nurdin Bukuev, FFKR's Deputy Secretary General.
Adding to this, Vera Tkachenko, UNODC's Acting Head of Office in the Kyrgyz Republic, highlighted that, "making the world safer from drugs, crime and violence is UNODC's core task. Girls and women play an integral role in this endeavour. Football makes you stronger, gives you determination, courage and makes this world better and more secure."
During the event, the participants also engaged in life skills training sessions delivered as part of UNODC's evidence-informed and sports-based curriculum, 'Line Up, Live Up'. They also attended a performance about the negative consequences of crime and violence in one of the Bishkek theatres, which was followed by discussion among the attending youth on how to tackle these issues in everyday life.
UNODC works to reduce the level of antisocial behaviour by building important life skills that increase adaptive and positive behaviour among young people. Since April 2017, over 40 sports coaches and physical education teachers have successfully passed training of trainers' courses and conducted Line Up, Live Up sessions to some 250 children aged 13-16 in secondary schools and sports centres in Bishkek and the surrounding Chui province. These activities are conducted within the framework of UNODC's Global Programme for the Implementation of the Doha Declaration.
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