Kicks 4 Kokoda Driving Rights, Justice and Opportunity for Women and Girls Through Sport

Following the United Nation’s International Women’s Day and this year’s theme, “Rights. Justice Action. For ALL Women and Girls,” development NGO Kokoda Track Foundation (KTF) is highlighting how its Kicks 4 Kokoda (K4K) sport-for-development program is helping adolescents across Oro Province build safer, more respectful and equitable communities.

Working with both girls and boys, Kicks 4 Kokoda uses sport as a platform to engage young people in critical conversations about gender equality, healthy relationships and human rights. By reaching adolescents early, the program helps build respect, awareness and accountability - equipping young people with the knowledge to recognise violence, challenge harmful gender norms and understand pathways to support and justice. In doing so, it empowers the next generation to stand up for the rights of women and girls and contribute to safer, more equitable communities.

Through this nine-week program, combining soccer, mentorship and facilitated education workshops, participants learn about consent, respectful relationships, health-seeking behaviours, rights and support pathways.

Programs like K4K play an important role in advancing rights, justice and action for women and girls, helping young people grow up with a clear understanding that everyone deserves to be safe, heard and treated with dignity.

Rose Gabarura, a K4K coach in Kebara, said the program is helping girls see themselves as leaders within their communities:

“K4K creates a safe space where girls are not just seen as participants, but as future leaders. The education sessions challenge the idea that certain opportunities are out of reach for them. I’ve seen girls go from being shy and reserved to standing tall, knowing they have a community that backs their dreams,” she said.

Rose believes investing in women has a powerful multiplier effect.

“By investing in them, we aren’t just being ‘fair’ - we are making our communities smarter, more resilient, and more compassionate. When you support a woman, the benefits ripple out to her family, her peers, and eventually the entire community.”

For many participants, the program has also been a transformative personal experience.

Behtshiba Kanari, a 2025 participant, reflected:

“The K4K training has mentored me to know that gender equality has brought me out of the box of gender expectation and l now can strive to achieve my goals in life.”

Jessica Harika, a K4K coach in Kokoda and local community health worker, said the program has helped both coaches and participants develop confidence and leadership skills:

“K4K’s mentorship and education sessions help young people build confidence, communicate respectfully with others and understand how to support one another. It’s helping create a generation that values equality and respect.”

In February, Kicks 4 Kokoda launched its 2026 program across five locations in Oro Province - Kokoda, Gorari, Kebara, Kiorota and Awala, which joins the program as a new community this year.

The first round of the 2026 program will conclude in the coming weeks with a graduation ceremony in April and a community-wide tournament in May. Facilitated by the PNG Olympic Committee and Team PNG HERO athletes, the tournament brings together participants, families, community members and local leaders to celebrate the impact of the program.

By engaging young people early and equipping them with the knowledge and confidence to challenge inequality, Kicks 4 Kokoda is helping advance rights, justice and action for women and girls - building communities where women and girls are safer, respected and empowered to shape their own futures. Kicks 4 Kokoda is supported by the Australian Government through Team Up and delivered in partnership with the PNG Olympic Committee.