Football Is Not Just For Men
Bushra, Jordan
When the Syrian war broke out in 2011 it caused an exodus of 5.5 million refugees to neighbouring countries. These included Jordan, a country that now hosts 650,000 Syrians, as well as Iraqi, Yemeni, Sudanese and Somali refugees. Jordan has the second highest refugee population per capita in the world. About 85 per cent of refugees in Jordan are urban-based, with the remainder in camps, the largest of which is Zaatari, close to the Syrian border. Since 2012, Zaatari has evolved from a collection of tents to an urban settlement of 76,000 people. Residents are supported by UNHCR, as well as NGOs and the Jordanian government. About 20 per cent are under 5. Football plays a key role, with UNHCR running initiatives for children.
Bushra, 12, is part of the TIGER (‘These Inspiring Girls Enjoy Reading’) Girl project in the camp, which focuses on empowerment for teenage girls. She regularly participates in football tournaments in the camp run through the local UNHCR supported community centre and is a member of the UEFA training program.
What did you try to show with the photos? Was there any wider meaning with the photos?
My friends at the UEFA playground in District 9. I wanted to show that girls can play football. Football is not just for men. It is a great sport. Football is important in our community as it entertains people, and it gives them positive energy.
Can you tell us your personal story?
I came to Jordan because of the war. I did not play football before. Jordanian people are like us, there is no difference. At first I used to play football in the street, but my parents wouldn’t allow me. After that they started to be convinced that it was good for me to play football.
Why is football important to you?
For me, football is everything in my life. I wish I could win the World Cup. Football is important because back in the day it was only for males and now we can play it. It used to be that gymnastics was for females and now we can all play anything we want.
