This report was published by the Canadian Association for the Advancement of Women and Sport and Physicial Activity (CAAWS).

HERE’S HOW THE AUTHORS DESCRIBE THIS REPORT:

Making Healthy Connections with Racialized Communities: Girls and Young Women’s Experiences with Sport, Physical Activity and Healthy Living project was designed to address the gaps by building capacity at the community, regional and provincial levels to increase healthy living opportunities for girls and young women from racialized communities. The project also provided CAAWS with the opportunity to revise and/or confirm On the Move key messages based on the voices of racialized girls and young women whom are often excluded from sport and physical activity and/or met with confusion or dismissal.

The results confirmed the value of community-based, participant-driven programs that responds to the needs of girls and young women, rather than a one size fits all service delivery model. Moreover, the need to engage with difference in a manner that pushes the boundaries of stereotypes and essentialized identities was also evident among the racialized girls and young women and the service providers involved. The results also communicate the nuances with respect to identity and how sport and physical activity are critical spaces for racialized girls and young women to have fun, socialize and benefit from female-only spaces that encourage new experiences in a safe and inclusive environment.

The report concludes with recommendations to enhance community service delivery for this important target group.