Masala Princess” Kicks Gender Barriers Out of the Field – Soccer Team Empowers Girls to Thrive Beyond the Pitch

By Shabani Malina, Special Correspondent.

ARUSHA, TANZANIA — In a region where maternal mortality, teenage pregnancies, and gender inequality continue to affect the future of girls, one unlikely tool is making a bold difference—soccer.

Since 2014, Childbirth Survival International (CSI) has been on a mission to empower adolescent girls through its flagship initiative, Girl Talk, Girl Power. The program, which first launched at Unambwe High School in the Arusha area, has since touched the lives of over 20,000 girls across Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, and Somalia. Its goal? To tackle maternal health disparities, reduce HIV/AIDS risks, promote gender parity, and elevate the social standing of women and girls.

But in 2022, CSI added a powerful twist to its playbook—the birth of Masala Princess, an all-girls soccer team designed to level the playing field both in sport and society.

“Masala Princess is more than just football—it’s about giving girls the confidence to dream bigger, stay in school, and take charge of their health and futures,” said a CSI program officer.

Soccer has proven to be a gateway to broader empowerment. The team provides a safe space where girls aged 12–19 can develop leadership, teamwork, and resilience—skills that go far beyond the field. Many participants come from communities facing significant social challenges, where girls are often forced into early marriages or pregnancies.

In these settings, non-medical factors—known as social determinants of health—like education, income, and food security, are just as critical to improving maternal health outcomes as access to healthcare itself. CSI’s approach blends mentorship, education, and physical activity to holistically empower girls.

Masala Princess is rapidly gaining attention not just as a sports team, but as a movement for girl empowerment. The team has its own Instagram page @masalaprincess, where fans can follow their journey, victories, and impact.

As the whistle blows for every kickoff, Masala Princess reminds us that real change doesn't always begin in boardrooms or clinics—sometimes, it starts with a simple game, a dusty field, and a girl bold enough to believe she belongs.

🟢 Follow the movement: @masalaprincess | @childbirthsurvival on Instagram

🟢 Learn more: www.childbirthsurvivalinternational.org