www.sportgvp.eu Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them (Project Number: 101133538). Every young athlete (mentee) in the “Mentor the Mentee” programme is partnered with a senior athlete (mentor) from their team or sports community in a one-on-one mentorship format. Before being paired with a mentee, mentors receive specialised training in GBV prevention, leadership, and active listening. Bystander intervention techniques, gender inclusion in sports, identifying early warning signs of harassment, and encouraging candid discussions about GBV are among the training themes. Every two weeks, mentors and mentees get together to talk about personal and athletic struggles, develop leadership abilities, and consider gender-related factors in sports. In addition to offering direction and emotional support, the mentor makes sure the mentee has a reliable person to confide in about any uncomfortable encounters involving prejudice or GBV. As role models, mentors are urged to emphasise the value of equality, respect, and safe sports conditions. Conversations and activities Every mentorship session consists of planned conversations and exercises meant to encourage accountability and inclusivity. Among the tasks, the participants will find: ● Scenario-based learning: The mentor and mentee examine actual GBV case studies and talk about how to react in various circumstances, like observing harassment or helping a teammate who has been harmed. ● Establishing goals for safe sport culture: The mentor and mentee establish individual and group objectives to foster a more welcoming atmosphere, including denouncing sexist remarks or pushing for more gender representation in positions of leadership. ● Confidential check-ins: Mentors encourage their mentees to talk candidly about any safety issues or discriminatory practices they have seen by asking open-ended questions about their experiences participating in sports. ○ Examples of open-ended questions: ■ Can you tell me about your overall experience in your sports environment? ■ Have you ever felt uncomfortable or unsafe in a sports setting? What happened? ■ What are some positive and negative experiences you’ve had as an athlete? ■ Are there situations in your sport where you feel pressured to do something that makes you uncomfortable? ■ Have you ever heard or been affected by comments that felt disrespectful or hurtful? By implementing this mentorship model in sports organisations, athletes create an atmosphere of empowerment, respect, and trust while gaining proactive allies in the fight against GBV. In addition to helping young athletes develop their leadership abilities, this programme fosters a sense of shared accountability for advancing gender equality and protecting all athletes.
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