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Seven questions to Jean Sseninde, Female football player from Uganda

Discover the young hope of Ugandan women's football, , for whom football is much more than sport, it is a true vector of peace and friendship, which contributes to gender equality and empowerment. She founded the in 2006 which aims to create opportunities for young girls to play football and empower women through education and non-formal skills training.
2. In 2017, you became the first African to be a part of , a charitable project created by and the Spanish football player Juan Mata, can you tell us about it?
Having grown up as a young footballer without clear opportunities to play football all the way until my senior school, I developed the passion to help young girls get opportunities as early as possible when they are still young. I have always thought that if I had gotten those opportunities as a little girl maybe I would have been a better footballer later on. So, I started initiatives in Uganda which could help create opportunities to young girls and enable them to get into the game as early as possible so that they don't miss out their chance just like I did. I have been doing a lot of initiatives with my foundation in Uganda, but I have always wanted the opportunity to work with an organisation so that we can work together to create even a bigger impact globally and impact more players out there who don't have the same opportunities. So, when I heard about Common Goal, I didn't think twice. It was an opportunity to help even more people outside of my country and to be a part of a team of other players with whom I shared the same goals to change the world, to create a more sustainable social impact which will create opportunities for so many other girls, women and boys around the world together.
3. Is female football popular in Uganda?
Female football is not yet popular in Uganda but at least it's coming up. There is a lot of passion and talent, so it just needs us to come together and create better policies which will create a pathway for these girls and women to shine and to put women's football out there to the fans to embrace it a lot more than it is now.

4. Can football (sport in general) be a good platform promoting gender equality?
Yes, football is one of the most popular sports around the world, it has a very big platform as most of the players are role models to young athletes around the world. This makes it easy for people to listen when the players are speaking and thereby giving and creating a big platform for these stars to promote gender equality.
5. Why do you think it is important for athletes to be involved in social and human rights issues?
It is evident that players have very big platforms and a huge following. Most of these athletes are also role models to the young girls and boys therefore it is hugely important for them to be involved in social and human right issues.
7. What message would you like to convey to young African female athletes willing to get involved in supporting their communities?
For me getting involved and supporting my community was one of the best decisions that I ever made, it changed my life and also helped me see a different perspective to the game. It gives me a sense of responsibility to be a role model for young girls and to make a big difference as much as I could. Therefore, I encourage all the young African female athletes out there who are interested in supporting their communities that it is the time for all of us to get involved and to give hope to young women and girls that football is more than just a game, but it can help us rise and be one of the best continents in the world one day.