Female prisoners in Sierra Leone have benefitted from a coaching course run by the Confederation of African Football After spending almost four years in prison in Freetown, football has provided Marie with the chance of a fresh start in life. While behind bars at a correctional facility in Sierra Leone's capital, she enrolled in the first-ever coaching course for female inmates organised by the Confederation of African Football (Caf). She was among 26 women and five police officers who took part in the Football for Reform initiative last year. "Life in prison right now, the only thing you need is respect," Marie, whose real name was withheld by the prison authorities, told the BBC World Service. "When you [have] respect, [it is] like you are not in prison." The eight-day course equips inmates with a Caf-accredited D licence, a badge which enables them to coach football at grassroots level once they are released. "It was more than the word great," Marie said. "I am proud to get my certificate. With this coaching certificate, I want to be able to get a job." About 80 women and their children are currently housed at the Freetown Female Correctional Centre according to AdvocAid, a non-governmental organisation in the West African country. But it is not just prisoners in Sierra Leone who have benefited from the Caf course. It has also been held in Ghana, is under way in Liberia and there are plans to extend the scheme to other parts of the continent. Isha Johansen, former president of the Sierra Leone Football Association (SLFA), pioneered the project after a visit to the correctional facility in Freetown. "I saw very young girls there, an inmate with a baby on her lap and another pregnant," she told the BBC. "90% of those inmates were in there because of poverty or petty crimes. They had no business being there. "They are spending five, six or eight years doing nothing. "I had to make a change. I was compelled to do something and football was a massive tool I had at my disposal." Inmates received their coaching qualifications at the end of the course - but their anonymity was ensured by Sierra Leonean prison authorities With few facilities at Freetown's correctional centre, the first course was run on the Astroturf pitch at the SLFA academy in the city. The country's governing body also provided the inmates with equipment and jerseys. However, Johansen said the prison will now be investing in its own football pitch "in the next few months". For those not keen on issuing instructions on the touchline, the Caf programme also offers other ways for inmates to get involved. Some are now sewing jerseys and training bibs for clubs across the country. "What I'd like to see is when these girls go back into society, they don't end up back in prison," Johansen said. "When they come out, they've got skills. They can go to the football federation to look for a job and they can coach in schools." Meanwhile, inmates in Nsawam - the largest female prison in Ghana with a population of 115 - also took to the football pitch in February. The facility, located just to the north of the capital Accra, houses just over half of the country's female convicts. Former Uganda international Majidah Nantanda offered instruction to inmates in Sierra Leone "Being in prison here is very complicated for us," said one prisoner involved in the scheme in Nsawam. "We are controlled on everything. It gives us a headache. "But coaching is my passion, so when we heard about the course I was so happy to be part of it. "We have learnt a lot of skills, like dribbling techniques." Former Ghana international Mercy Tagoe, who represented her country at the 1999 Women's World Cup and has also coached the Black Queens, was among the instructors when the Caf course was run in Nsawam. She stresses how it can help inmates back into society. "They can do something with this license. Once they leave prison they can start with the grassroots within their local area," Tagoe said. "They go to prison to be reformed. So this course can help them move on with their lives." Back in Freetown, Johansen is working with Caf and world governing body Fifa to see how the scheme can be implemented in other African countries - but also further afield in Asia and South America. Football, she believes, has the power the change the lives of young women in similar circumstances across the globe. "It's about using football for positive social change," Johansen said. "Football is so much more than just 90 minutes on the pitch. This is an example of that."
The female prisoners becoming football coaches in Africa
TruthLens AI Suggested Headline:
"Female Prisoners in Sierra Leone Empowered Through Football Coaching Course"
Bbc News
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TruthLens AI Summary
In Sierra Leone, a transformative initiative led by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has enabled female prisoners to gain valuable skills through a unique coaching course. Marie, a participant who has spent nearly four years in the Freetown correctional facility, expressed how this program has provided her with hope and a sense of dignity. The course, which lasted for eight days, granted participants a CAF-accredited D license, empowering them to coach football at the grassroots level upon their release. Marie emphasized the importance of respect in prison, stating that it can make one feel as though they are not incarcerated. With her new coaching certificate, she aspires to secure a job in football, demonstrating the potential for rehabilitation and reintegration into society that such programs can offer. Currently, about 80 women and their children are housed at the Freetown Female Correctional Centre, and this initiative is part of a broader effort to address the challenges faced by these women, many of whom are incarcerated for minor offenses related to poverty.
The success of the CAF program in Sierra Leone has inspired similar courses in other countries, including Ghana and Liberia, with plans to expand further across Africa and beyond. Isha Johansen, the former president of the Sierra Leone Football Association, played a pivotal role in establishing this program after witnessing the struggles of young female inmates. She highlighted that many of these women are imprisoned due to circumstances beyond their control, underscoring the need for reformative measures rather than punitive ones. The course not only equipped inmates with coaching skills but also offered alternative roles, such as sewing jerseys for local clubs. Johansen's vision extends beyond Sierra Leone, as she collaborates with CAF and FIFA to implement similar initiatives globally, believing that football can serve as a powerful tool for positive social change. The overarching goal is to ensure that these women, upon their release, have the skills and opportunities to reintegrate successfully into society, thereby breaking the cycle of incarceration and poverty.
TruthLens AI Analysis
The article highlights a transformative initiative where female prisoners in Sierra Leone are receiving football coaching training. This program, organized by the Confederation of African Football (Caf), aims to empower these women and provide them with skills that could lead to employment upon their release. By focusing on the personal story of a participant, Marie, it illustrates the potential for rehabilitation through sports and community engagement.
Purpose of the Article
This coverage serves to spotlight the positive outcomes of integrating sports into rehabilitation programs within correctional facilities. It emphasizes the potential for second chances and social reintegration for marginalized individuals, particularly women, who often face additional societal challenges. The narrative aims to foster empathy and awareness regarding the plight of female prisoners, particularly in terms of poverty and their journeys toward reform.
Public Perception
The article seeks to create a narrative of hope and empowerment, aiming to change the perception of female inmates from that of mere criminals to individuals capable of reform and contribution to society. It reflects a growing recognition of the importance of rehabilitation over punishment, appealing to readers' emotions and social consciousness.
Hidden Aspects
There is no overt indication that the article seeks to hide or obscure other issues; rather, it seems to focus on the positive aspects of a specific initiative. However, it may gloss over the systemic issues that lead to incarceration, such as poverty and lack of access to resources, which could provide a fuller picture of the challenges faced by these women.
Manipulative Elements
While the article primarily presents a positive narrative, one could argue it subtly manipulates public perception by highlighting success stories without addressing the broader systemic issues at play. The use of Marie's story personalizes the issue but could also lead to an oversimplification of the complexities surrounding female incarceration.
Truthfulness and Reliability
The article appears reliable, as it cites specific initiatives, participants, and organizations involved in the process. Furthermore, it provides direct quotes from individuals involved, which adds a layer of authenticity to the narrative. However, the focus on success stories may limit the scope of the discussion on broader issues within the prison system.
Community Support and Target Audience
This article is likely to resonate with communities and organizations focused on social justice, rehabilitation, and women's empowerment. It targets readers who are interested in human rights issues and the reformative potential of sports.
Economic and Political Implications
While the article may not directly influence stock markets or global economics, it could spark conversations about funding for rehabilitation programs and the role of sports in social reform. It also has the potential to encourage policy discussions regarding women’s rights and criminal justice reform in Sierra Leone and beyond.
Global Context
This initiative aligns with broader global movements advocating for women's empowerment and the use of sports as a tool for social change. It highlights the ongoing issues of inequality and the need for systemic reform in various countries.
Use of AI in Writing
It’s possible that AI tools were employed in crafting this article for style consistency, but the personalized quotes and narrative structure suggest a human touch in reporting. AI may have influenced the tone or format but seems less likely to have altered the core message.
Manipulation and Language Use
The article does not exhibit overt manipulation, but the choice of language is designed to evoke emotional responses and promote a narrative of hope and change. This approach can lead readers to support initiatives that may not address the underlying issues effectively.
Ultimately, the article serves as a vehicle for promoting the benefits of rehabilitation through sports, while also highlighting the need for continued attention to the systemic issues surrounding incarceration.