Game Changer project calls on Cork males to tackle gender-based violence

Boys and men across Cork are being called on to tackle domestic, sexual, and gender-based violence.

The Game Changer project, which is a partnership between Ruhama, the GAA, and White Ribbon Ireland, supported by the LGFA and Camogie Associations, revealed survey findings this week, which highlight the importance of engaging men and boys to combat gender-based violence through sport.

The data, compiled from a nationally representative Red C survey of men and women in Ireland, showed that 87% of people believe men have an important role to play in combatting gender-based inequality and violence.

Threat

It further showed that 41% of women aged 18 to 34 in Ireland have experienced either sexual harassment, unsolicited sexual remarks, or felt a threat of gender-based intimidation or violence when taking part in sports or physical exercise.

In other settings, 77% of the same cohort have experienced being ‘cat called’ in the street; 70% have been unwantedly stared or looked at in a sexually suggestive way by a stranger; 31% have been stalked or followed; and 26% have experienced sexual harassment in the workplace.

The release of the survey marked the launch of the second phase of the Game Changer project.

Power

Community and health manager with the GAA, Colin Regan; CEO of Ruhama Barbara Condon; and Sean Cooke of White Ribbon Ireland, said the project was created to “help harness the power of Gaelic games to address the insidious issue of [gender-based violence] in Cork and across Ireland”.

“Phase two [of the project] entails a suite of e-learning content that will target audiences within our memberships, including players, coaches, and officers, as well as a public awareness raising campaign,” they added.

Ambitious

CEO of Cuan Stephanie O’Keefe, described the initiative as “ambitious”, saying that it has “the potential to bridge the gap between national policy and real-life progress on the ground, building safe spaces for women, girls and boys in sport”.

“Leadership at national and grassroots level is essential in responding to the threat of [gender-based violence] as well as challenging the social and cultural norms that drive these behaviours.

 “This initiative is a game-changer and we are committed to its enduring success.”

For more information on the project, see https://www.gaa.ie/article/be-a-game-changer-against-domestic-sexual-and-gender-based-violence.