Why did you choose Khayelitsha? Why does Boxgirls run its projects in Khayelitsha?

Khayelitsha is one of the biggest townships (informal settlements) in South-Africa. Inhabitants are often confronted with hard living- conditions and suffer from poverty. Especially women and girls have to face the risk of sexual abuse and gender based violence. Alcohol abuse, unemployment and patriarchic gender roles are some of the reasons for the growth of violence against women. 4 in 10 girls in Khayelitsha schools have experienced sexual abuse in their lifetime. Khayelitsha is also riddled with high crime statistics. Because of inequality in the education-system, the illiteracy rate in informal settlements is high.

Why does Boxgirls use particularly boxing as a tool?

To know elements of boxing techniques, how to position your feet and your hands are important for knowing your body. It is learning about yourself, setting boundaries and respecting boundries of others. Boxing gives self-confidence. It helps girls can concentrate on their goals and have trust in themselves to reach them. Boxing is also considered as traditionally masculine discipline and thus helps to overcome the stereotypes towards gender roles in the society. Strong girls become strong women. And we know that strong women transform their communities. It’s simple: Strong girls. Safe communities.

How can you be sure the projects reach its goals?

The Boxgirls Afterschool Leadership programme is evaluated externally and independently. The evaluation gold-standard, Randomized Control Trial (RCT), will be conducted by the German Sport University and research partners from the University of the Western Cape.

What is the Randomized Control Trial (RCT)?

RCTs are considered the gold standard for measuring an intervention’s impact. Characteristic for the RTC are randomly chosen test persons/ groups that are divided in an intervention group and a control group. After the intervention the impact of the project on both groups can be compared.

How does the financing of the project work?

The Boxgirls Afterschool Leadership Education project in South Africa is financed by the Optimus foundation. Established by the UBS in 1999, it works with leading organizations to fund and implement innovative projects which improve the health, education and protection of children. The foundation supports projects in places where children face adversity.