Ghana Rugby launches ‘Empower Her’ initiative:Using sport to empower Kayayei women

The Ghana Rugby Football Union (GRFU) has launched a pioneering initiative aimed at empowering some of the nation’s most resilient yet underserved women through the transformative power of sport. The ‘Empower Her – Kayayei Programme’ was officially introduced at the Agbogbloshie Yam Market on February 1st, marking a significant step in using rugby as a tool for social inclusion and personal development.

The programme specifically targets kayayei – women who migrate to urban centres like Accra to work as head porters. Known for their strength and determination, these women often operate on the margins of society with limited access to structured support, education, or recreational opportunities.

Building on the success of the GRFU’s existing ‘Rugby Rising Play Ghana’ programme for teenage girls, ‘Empower Her’ extends this pathway into adulthood. It is designed to use non-contact T1 Rugby not merely as a physical activity, but as a platform for building confidence, teaching life skills, providing health education, and fostering social integration.

GRFU President, alongside programme directors Kalos and Samira, engaged directly with leaders of the Kayayei Association to outline the vision. They emphasized that rugby offers diverse pathways, including potential future roles as coaches, match officials, administrators, and volunteers within the sport’s ecosystem.

The launch event combined dialogue, practical engagement, and essential support. After an introductory discussion about the programme’s goals of promoting dignity and opportunity, the women were treated to screenings of Ghana’s international rugby matches, sparking visible enthusiasm. In a gesture of holistic support, the GRFU team distributed sanitary pads and washing powder to participants, who reciprocated with gifts of yam.

The outreach culminated in a lively, hands-on T1 Rugby session where the kayayei learned basic passing and catching skills. The session was marked by energy, teamwork, and laughter, showcasing the programme’s immediate impact in boosting confidence and fostering camaraderie.

“This outreach was both impactful and inspiring,” a GRFU representative stated. “Through ‘Empower Her’, we are intentionally creating spaces for inclusion and demonstrating that rugby can be a powerful catalyst for empowerment and social development for all women in Ghana.”

The ‘Empower Her – Kayayei Programme’ solidifies the GRFU’s commitment to leveraging sport for development, aiming to build a more inclusive sporting community while addressing broader social inequities.