UNICEF is running a project in Bangladesh through International Inspiration, the sport for development programme of the London 2012 Olympics.
Around 22 per cent of Bangladesh's total population of 140 million are adolescents. Among these, 48 per cent are girls and 52 per cent are boys. Girls are treated differently from birth, resulting in inequalities of nutrition, health, education and financial status.
More than 30 per cent of girls are married by the time they turn 15, even though the legal age of marriage for girls is 18 and 21 for boys. Girls and other marginalised children and young people, such as ethnic minorities living in the area of Chittagong, are excluded from quality, regular and structured leisure and sporting opportunities.
To address these issues, we are working in schools and youth centres in both urban and rural areas, to provide opportunities for participation in sport and play, with a specific focus on involving girls and delivering life-skills education messages through sport.
From May 2009 onwards, over 12,000 peer leaders will be trained to enhance their coaching skills, as well as their capacities to use sport and play to empower young people and change attitudes in communities.
