Quote

Empowering women is key to building a future we want.

- Amartya Sen

Real Life

When Naome Rabeni grew up in Fiji, playing rugby was not an option for her because of her being female. Cultural and societal beliefs meant there were strong limitations around what a female could and could not do. Rabeni understood that her only role in rugby was as a supporter.

In 2018, the Get Into Rugby PLUS (GIR PLUS) programme visited Rabeni’s village and she took part in a coaching clinic. The programme not only upskilled future coaches, it also taught values and encouraged gender equality.

As Rabeni worked through the GIR PLUS coaching certificates, her confidence grew. She began coaching an U14 girls team, originally receiving displeasure from parents and community members at girls playing rugby and a woman coaching.  Rabeni persevered and by the time she took the team to a tournament, there was a large crowd of parents cheering loudly for their girls.

Rabeni says that receiving training and opportunity as a coach, and instilling the values of the programme in her players, have built her confidence and changed her perspective on how girls and women should be treated. She is also seeing similar changes in those she coaches.

The bible describes that male and female have differences and often have different roles, but in no place does the bible teach that women should be given less opportunity than men. In Genesis 1:17 it says that both male and female are created by God in His image. It then says that “God saw all that He had made, and it was very good”. Men and women are valued by their Creator. As His children we should follow the model He has set; acknowledging the differences in men and women, but valuing them equally. When we do that, we are all enabled to learn, contribute and achieve.

Bible Verses

There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.

Galatians 3:28

For as woman was made from man, so man is now born of woman. And all things are from God.

1 Corinthians 11:12

Prayer

Thank You Lord for creating men and women in Your image and for declaring that they are good. Help us to each remember our own value and the value of all others around us.

Author: Sarah Auld   |   Content Editor: Phil Pawley