14. September 2026 – SCORING GIRLS* IRAQ
CREATING SPACE TO LEARN, ASK, AND GROW: GBV AWARENESS SESSIONS AT SCORING GIRLS* IRAQ
Soccer is one way girls build confidence and discover their strengths. Learning about their rights, safety, and well-being is another. When girls learn to recognize different forms of violence, understand their rights, and know where they can turn for help when experiencing mental health issues, they are better equipped to look after themselves and make decisions with confidence.
At SCORING GIRLS* Iraq, we offer weekly soccer training sessions, provide psychosocial support and needs-based therapeutic assistance, as well as educational sessions on topics such as gender-based violence (GBV), mental health, and social participation. Our work is trauma-informed and diversity-sensitive, creating secure and trusting environments where girls can connect across ethnic and religious differences, build friendships, and develop a sense of community.
Over the course of the project, we held three GBV awareness sessions with 60 girls. The sessions covered topics including GBV and domestic violence, human rights, online violence and digital safety, healthy boundaries, respectful relationships, and self-confidence. The sessions were led by GBV expert Mahabad, who has twelve years of experience in GBV and protection programming, particularly working with adolescents, women, and vulnerable groups. This background enabled her to create a safe, respectful, and engaging environment where the girls felt comfortable sharing their views, experiences, and concerns.
The sessions were designed to be open and interactive, with group discussions, practical examples, reflection exercises, and opportunities to share experiences. At first, many of the girls were shy when talking about certain topics and experiences, but as the conversations continued, they became more comfortable to share their thoughts. Working in small groups was particularly popular, giving the girls the opportunity to discuss everyday situations and think about how the topics related to their own lives. The girls showed curiosity and supported one another throughout the discussions. Many asked for additional sessions and appreciated having a safer space where they could ask questions and talk openly.
The sessions helped participants better understand GBV, recognize situations that may be unsafe, and learn where to seek help. They also strengthened their confidence, communication, and decision-making skills, and introduced them to protection services and available support. The conversations also helped the project team better understand the girls’ concerns, challenges, and needs. Over time, this open exchange strengthened trust and relationships between the girls and the project team.
Auch für das Projektteam waren die Gespräche wichtig: Sie halfen uns, die Sorgen, Herausforderungen und Bedürfnisse der Mädchen* besser zu verstehen. Der offene Austausch trug mit der Zeit dazu bei, Vertrauen aufzubauen und die Beziehungen zwischen den Mädchen* und dem Projektteam zu stärken.
Thank you to SPACE and BILD hilft e.V. „Ein Herz für Kinder” for supporting the SCORING GIRLS* Iraq.
SCORING GIRLS* Iraq was implemented as part of SPACE. SPACE is funded by the Government of the Federal Republic of Germany and supported by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH.
