Social activities in sport
Gender equality is increasingly taking place in sports and this mentee of SportIn Global Mentorship Program is an expert on the subject.
With goals strongly defined for her future, Esther started in the sport industry in the area of communication and now wants to move to the management area.
Thanks for sharing your story with us, Esther!
Esther, could you share with us your background and your professional experience?
I have a Bachelor’s degree in Mass Communication from Kenya and just finished my Master’s degree in Gender and International Relations from the UK. Before pursuing my Master’s degree, I worked as a Broadcast Journalist for BBC Africa. Even though I’ve always had a passion for sports, I never considered a career in the sports sector until recently, which also informed my decision to apply for this mentorship program.
In a global company like BBC, we are sure you are learning a lot. What have been some key lessons you have learned along the way and how does BBC’s sports department work?
Being impartial and honest in reporting are two of the most important skills I picked up at BBC Africa. The BBC’s commitment to fostering a culturally diverse workplace gave me invaluable experience in learning how to interact with and gain insight from people from a wide range of backgrounds. The bulk of the work done by the BBC’s Africa sports section consists of researching and producing sports news stories, tv and radio features. It also produces documentaries for well-known and upcoming athletes all around Africa.
I believe you have a strong commitment to social actions, how do you see the importance of this for the present day and connecting more people to the sport?
Sport is a big driver on many levels, including the social, economic, health, and other sectors. It is a different kind of social organization, a source of social identity, and a way to keep people together. I believe that sports are a social phenomenon that brings people and countries together under a sense of unity, patriotism, and moral values. It brings people together from different countries and cultures, and it is a powerful way to get important messages across to large groups of people in a happy, upbeat manner.
If you could provide some tips for people to understand about your study focused on sport today, what would it be?
My Master’s degree had a lot to do with global gender analysis, so I want to promote gender equality in and through sports. Sports is one of the best ways to promote equality between men and women and give women and girls more power. In recent years, sports have shown how much they can help women and girls become more independent and work as a team. Sports can also boost their self-esteem, help them build social connections, and challenge harmful social norms.
What are your expectations of the SportIn Global mentorship program? What do you expect to develop along with your mentor?
I’m excited to be a part of the SportIn Global mentorship program because I think it will be a great resource for me as I pursue my goals. I anticipate gaining a great deal of knowledge from my mentor and the other program participants. The mentorship is also a fantastic chance to meet other professionals in the field. My mentor, Camilla Prando, is an incredible professional in the football industry, and I know she will inspire me a lot and help me grow as a woman aspiring to enter the sports industry.
After the program, what are some of your plans for the sport industry?
I want to look into opportunities in sports management and get involved in sports development, especially in ensuring gender equality in sports. I look forward to participating in efforts geared towards ensuring that girls and women worldwide have more access to sports and more chances to play.
A final message to our audience?
“Let’s work together to eliminate discrimination against women and girls in sports and make sports more accessible to everyone.”
