‘One Ball, One World’: Travelling football raises awareness about domestic violence in Pacific

A special ball has been on a year-long journey around the globe, raising awareness about violence against women and children, and it's arrived in New Zealand just in time for the beginning of the FIFA Women's World Cup.

The ball is the brainchild of a German charity Spirit of Football, and its programme manager, Iris Albulet says: “The ball is also about supporting women's football. We're going to the FIFA Women's World Cup. So we're meeting women footballers all over the world."

The charity has visited Fiji, Indonesia and Kiribati before coming to New Zealand and more than 10,000 people have signed the ball since it began its journey in London, including government ministers.

Kiribati Secretary to the Minister for Women, Youth, Sports and Social affairs Maryanne Namaki was one of the signatories and pledged: “I will be advocating and continuing to advocate and promote ending violence against women and children in Kiribati.”

In June, the United Nations released a study of online behaviour in four Pacific island countries focusing on gender-based violence.

Using “big data” from Google search and other social media posts and websites, it found during crisis events like lockdowns and disasters more people searched for phrases such as “abuse sexually”, “beating wife” and “rape”, in their local languages. 

Kiribati Minister for Employment and Resources Taabeta Teakai signed the ball, saying: “I urge women all around the world not to be afraid and to speak up for their truth and to stand up for their rights and what they believe in.”

In Auckland, Ailera Orake, 9, from Hillpark School in Manurewa has been playing for the Rebels football club for one year and says she loves football for the “opportunity to be in any type of role and have fun”.

She pledged to “help keep the earth and environment tidy” when signing the ball​.

Spirit of Football​ Director Andrew Aris and Iris Albulet will be in Aotearoa for two weeks running workshops before heading to Australia where the FIFA Women’s World Cup final will be held on 20 August 2023 at the Sydney Olympic Stadium.

UN Report: ​Disasters, Crises and Violence Against Women: Evidence from Big Data Analysis, Lessons from Kiribati, Samoa, Solomon Islands and Tonga, ​