MAJURO (Marshall Islands) - On an island nation where community and connection are paramount, the unifying power of basketball took on a profound new meaning with the launch of Sisterhoops4Health.
Recognising the untapped potential of young Marshallese women through sport, this initiative, aligning with FIBA's global strategy to Empower National Federations and Women in Basketball, is poised to elevate girls on and off the court across the Marshall Islands.
Supported by the Australian Embassy in the Marshall Islands, the Marshall Islands Basketball Federation, Sport and Education Program, and FIBA, Sisterhoops4Health is about more than developing skills on the court. It is about nurturing a sisterhood that extends beyond the game, using the engaging spirit of basketball to empower these young women with vital knowledge about their health and futures.
In a culture where open dialogue on certain topics can be challenging, Sisterhoops4Health carved out a safe and dynamic space for growth, led by a passionate Marshallese leader who understands the unique strength and promise of her nation's young women in basketball.
This commitment manifested through Sisterhoops4Health, is fused athleticism, empowerment, and vital health education, united by sisterhood. Basketball's engaging nature provided a platform to normalize conversations around sexual and reproductive health (SRHR), empowering young athletes with crucial knowledge.
Lead Facilitator Eskella Josheph emphasized the program's core;
“Ajiri ro rej iliju im joklaj - Our children are the future. This profound Marshallese proverb speaks to the heart of what truly matters: the future we build depends on the children we raise today.”
“The lessons we teach, the values we instil, and the care we give shape who they become and how they will change the world," Ms Joseph said.
Eskella’s leadership, enhanced by a recent young leaders’ program, allows her to bring valuable insights to Sisterhoops4Health.
The program rested on three pillars: Basketball for Health, using the sport for physical activity; Cultivating Sisterhood, fostering camaraderie and support; and Empowering Through Health Education, delivering age-appropriate information on well-being.
The immediate impact of the program resonated with participants through their improved basketball abilities, particularly in the fast-paced 3x3 format, a newfound awareness of reproductive health, and a blossoming of confidence that amplified their voices.
With the backing of the Australian Embassy in the Republic of the Marshall Islands, SEP, MIBF, and FIBA, Sisterhoops4Health has firmly planted its roots, cultivating a powerful blend of basketball, sisterhood, and health education to empower the young women of Majuro, hinting at an even brighter future shaped by their collective strength.
The Sisterhoops4Health launch was made possible by; Sport and Education Program (SEP) Officials and staff, RMI Ministry of Health and Human Services (MoHHS), CHEWY LIN, Kirsten Maddison, Neri Wase, Watak Lanwe, Alexandera Joseph, Mimo Jacklick, Jennifer Nia Wase, Aaliyah Slinger, Bianca Eliou, Peji Glad and Maya Sam.