Gender-based violence (GBV) is a pervasive problem both in Ireland and globally that affects individuals across all walks of life. Game Changer is a new project aimed at raising awareness and action through sport to tackle Domestic, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (DSGBV), that was launched on the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women on 25th November 2024.
Game Changer is a partnership between White Ribbon Ireland, the GAA and Ruhama, supported by the LGFA and Camogie Associations, with funding from the Government of Ireland, led by Cuan under the aegis of the Department of Justice. This three-year project will seek to harness the positive influence of Gaelic Games to challenge the social and cultural norms that contribute to gender-based violence and sexual exploitation and aims to deliver positive behaviour change throughout society.
This project is a strategic response to deliver on the goals of the Government’s Third National Strategy on Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence (DSGBV) 2022-2026, and the National Action Plan to prevent and combat Human Trafficking 2023 – 2027.
As prominent sporting institution, central to Irish community and cultural identity, the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) holds significant influence in Irish society. This influence reaches into all communities and age groups often in relationships that involve mentoring and coaching and this places them in a unique position which enables them to bring about a major shift in social norms and attitudes. The reach and position of influence held by Gaelic Games presents an opportunity to foster awareness and drive positive behavioural change in addressing Gender Based Violence, working towards the goal of eradicating it entirely.
Vision: White Ribbon Ireland to become a valuable resource for Gaelic Games Associations to access the knowledge, skills and strategies required to use sports as a means of creating awareness of and preventing gender-based violence in Ireland.
Goal: To strengthen Gaelic Games Association’s capacity to engage with its members and partners through awareness-raising, education, leadership and training which will support them in creating a space that feels safer, welcoming and inclusive for all of its members. These actions will ensure that all forms of gender-based violence are acted upon and responded to as a means of prevention with the aim being that of eradicating it from our communities.
Strategy 1: Creating and expanding the practical knowledge base and shared understanding among GAA players and coaches about positive interpersonal relationships, empowering coaches and players to create safer public spaces that are welcoming for all through awareness-raising and education using a strengths-based approach to prevent and respond to all forms of gender-based violence.
Strategy 2 Creating and expanding the practical knowledge base around gender-based violence, including preventative strategies and existing national/international measures against such violence, the principle of gender equality and non-discrimination, mutual respect in interpersonal relationships and non-violent conflict resolutions.
“We have to provide the opportunities to allow young men and women to reflect on what they're seeing online, how they interpret it, how they manage it, how they analyse it, how they can be critical of it, how they can be forthright in their own feelings about it so they are confident in their thoughts on it"
Seán Cooke
The Game Changer White Ribbon Educational Programme comprises two distinct objectives:
OBJECTIVE 1: A developed comprehensive interactive E-Learning Programme targeting players and coaches in GAA clubs with a specific focus on age-appropriate topics.
OBJECTIVE 2: Experiential Training for adults and coaches to foster adults and coaches leadership in their communities, supporting them in being more proactive and equipping them with the tools they need.