by Halima Khan and Former England and Ikram Butt is setting out to use the
power sport has as a positive tool to increase the awareness of violence
against women and girls.
Award for woman who encourages exercise at a grassroots level
A new organisation co-founded by Bradford born Halima Khan and Former England and Pakistan Rugby International Ikram Butt is setting out to use the power sport has as a positive tool for equality and peace, whilst increasing the awareness of violence against women and girls.
Cricket Beyond the Boundary line (CBBL) is on a mission to use sport as an educational engagement platform to inspire more women and girls to reach their full potential.
The organisation has already been recognised of its unique way of engaging with audiences to raise the issues of gender abuse and gained national recognition for their work in empowering communities to stand up against violence towards women and girls by national charity White Ribbon UK .
CBBL was recognised for setting up a ‘Bowling Out Domestic Violence’ campaign with the Armed Services and using the Sport of Cricket as a platform to empower women in speaking out and seeking the right channels of support to understand and how to deal with violence issues.
Last month, Halima was recognised for her hard work with an award from a leading charity.
Chris Green, founder of White Ribbon UK said: “We are extremely pleased to present Halima from CBBL with this award and recognising her efforts of using Sport as a tool to educate and spread the message to end violence against women and girls.
“Her commitment to engage with new audiences and influence them will only spread the message of equality and peace and she deserves to be applauded for her efforts.”
Halima has worked in sporting industry for over a decade now and is keen to bring it back to the grassroots and community.
A strong believer in prevention being better than the cure, Halima is keen to educate youngsters to understand the principles of what it means to live in an equal world and live in peace.
Iqra Ali and Halima Khan (left)
A current project working in partnership with Adil Rashid Academy and funded by BBC Children In Need has been set up to work with young girls to engage in talks through the medium of football and cricket.
The sessions have a different theme each week where some time is spent on topics including teamwork, conflict resolution, women in leadership roles and many more. The premise of the theme’s are for the girls to gain skills which will educate them and most importantly for them to understand the positive role women play in society and to never give up on their dreams and aspiration.
The group were treated by a visit from FA women’s premier league side Guiseley AFC Vixens footballers, Iqra Ali and Zanib Taj who talked about their experiences in football as Asian Women.
Their speech touched upon how wearing a hijab and being Muslim has empowered them to break down misconceptions in football for women, whilst hoping to inspire more women in sport.
Both girls have set up their own junior girl’s team with Phoenix Juniors FC and hope to register with a league soon.
Halima said: “As an organisation, I want to be able to break down barriers and address these taboo issues around gender inequality and violence in an open and safe environment which I believe sport provides.
“It was once said to me that when women are empowered, they are less likely to be the victims of abuse. I say what better way to empower women than through sport, which is often seen as male-dominated.”
“As someone who previously coached Iqra, I am extremely proud to have welcomed her and Zanib to speak at the session as it shows what can be achieved through believe, perseverance and the right support around you.
“When these young girls see women from their own city doing well in sport it inspires them to believe everything is possible with the right mindset and what equality stands for.”
