At FEMALE, we have always believed in challenging the taboos and stereotypes that hold back women and girls especially when it comes to male dominated field like sports. Too often, social perceptions tell girls they don’t belong on the field or the court, that strength and leadership are not for them. Well, FEMALE is here to say: Enough.
A Program Born from Crisis
Following the devastating Beirut explosion, FEMALE launched its Sports Program for girls with a clear mission: to create safe, inclusive, and empowering spaces for girls aged 11 to 18. Across cities and regions from Beirut and Beqaa to Tripoli, the South, and Nabatieh, we reached over 250 girls from the most marginalized communities until
Through football, basketball, and self-defense, these girls not only played and competed; they discovered their rights, developed leadership skills, built supportive networks, and nurtured their mental and physical wellbeing.
This program is more than just sports, it’s about giving girls the chance to move, lead, and feel powerful on and off the field.
Breaking Barriers on the Field and Beyond
- Football:
Passionate girls from Beirut, North, Beqaa, and the South came together, lacing up their boots and proving that football is for everyone. Every match was about more than just goals, it was about teamwork, friendship, and believing in their own strength. - Basketball:
Fierce girls took the court, showing the world that leadership, resilience, and courage belong to them. Every pass and every point became a statement: girls rise here, girls lead here. - Self-Defense:
Determined girls stepped onto the mat, learning that their bodies are theirs to protect. Across Beirut, Beqaa, South, Mount Lebanon and North Lebanon, our self-defense sessions gave them the tools to reclaim their bodies, set their own rules, and say “no” to control and violence.
View this post on Instagram
A Heartbreaking Loss Amid War
An aggressive Israeli attack targeted Lebanon during 2024, we were devastated by the tragic loss of 14-year-old Fatima Hamdar, one of the brightest stars of our program, “Girls Leading the Change.” Fatima was killed, along with a number of her family members, in a brutal Israeli attack on their home in Beqaa.
Fatima was more than just a participant. She was a light, a connection, and a promise we made to protect. Her death filled us with grief, fear, and an urgent question: How many more dreams must be shattered before this ends?
We honor Fatima’s memory by carrying forward her spirit and her dreams.
Expanding the Program: Wellness and Wellbeing in 2025
In 2025, FEMALE is proud to sustain and expand its work. We believe more than ever in the power of sports to fight taboos, uplift girls, and transform communities but we also recognize that wellness is just as vital.
That’s why this year, we’ve added:
Dancing — celebrating movement, expression, and joy.
Yoga — fostering balance, mindfulness, and inner strength.
Art and Informal Education — nurturing creativity, learning, and confidence.
Wellbeing Activities — supporting girls’ mental, emotional, and social health.
Together, these additions make our program a holistic space where girls can not only play and compete, but also heal, grow, and thrive.
Why This Matters
When girls have the chance to lead, move, and claim their space, they challenge the taboos that tell them to shrink, be silent, or stay home. Through sports and wellness, we are building a generation of girls who know their rights, trust their power, and demand their place in the world.
We are determined to keep pushing forward for Fatima, for every girl in Lebanon, and for a future where strength, leadership, and freedom belong to all.
View this post on Instagram
