Uruguay celebrates "UN Women Cup" Soccer Tournament Finals
Date:
On Sunday August 21, 2016 was held in Uruguay, the final match of the 14th Women's Soccer Tournament, “UN Women Cup”, conducted by the Interior Soccer Organization (OFI, by its Spanish acronym) and sponsored by UN Women in Uruguay, Antel and the National Secretariat of Sport.
Thirty two women's soccer teams, form various clubs of the interior, participated in this tournament, reaching a total of 700 players.
The latest National Survey of Adolescents and Youth, held in Uruguay 2013 by the National Youth Institute (INJU) and the National Institute of Statistics (INE), showed that the percentage of young women doing sport is half in comparison to men and boys: 33% vs. 60%. For this reason, UN Women decided to support this initiative, keeping in mind that women and girls who practice sports become physically healthier, have more autonomy and knowledge of their own bodies, gain greater self-esteem and self-confidence, develop leadership skills and take decision, question gender stereotypes, learn to live together as a team, develop a sense of belonging to a group and achieve better performance in their studies or jobs.
During the final match, UN Women was in charge of the kickoff. After the game, both teams received awards from UN Women and the Ministry of Tourism of Uruguay; in addition to the corresponding medals from the Interior Soccer Organization (OFI) and the UN Women Cup, won this time, and for the second year in a row, by the Union Club of Paysandú Department.
UN Women Cup is framed as one of the actions supported by UN Women in Uruguay to assist in the elimination of prejudices and stereotypes and facilitate federated participation of women in soccer; understanding the importance of sport as a tool of empowerment for gender equality and for the elimination of discrimination.