A love of soccer keeps girls in school in Niger
Pascaline's story reflects how girls in Niger are able to stop discrimination, child marriage and to break stereotypes if they receive the support to play soccer and claim their rights. She comes from a poor family that had to take her out of school when she was young. There wasn’t much time for Pascaline to be a child while she was growing up.
Despite the stereotypes and the social pressure, Pascaline never gave up. She learned in the neighborhood that a soccer school was recruiting girls to play in a team. They were looking for out-of-school girls with the aim of bringing them back to school by encouraging them to play soccer. She studied hard for the entry exams and got accepted. 'They gave me a bike, school materials, and soccer clothes to go to training. My life took a turn I did not expect,' she joyfully exclaims.
Today, more girls in Niger are progressing from dreaming to achieving. Girls like Pascaline are proving that they are unique and unstoppable.
