“As a football player, I've noticed violence is present in stadiums, both verbal and physical, and even gender-based violence. I want to highlight a phenomenon that when a woman referees a match, fans often use offensive and insulting words toward her.”

This is what Leandro Ishja, a football player for the Turbina team in Cërrik, says. Despite being young, just 17 years old, he has been a volunteer for two years in youth activities in his city, including those against violence.

Cërrik is one of 11 cities in our country where UNFPA in Albania, in collaboration with "ACT for SOCIETY Centre" and the "Youth Voice Network of Organisations," has supported the creation of the "Bëhu Burrë" (Be a Man) club. This is a club for young men and women, engaging both girls and boys aged 13 to 18. These clubs are more than just spaces for activities—they are vibrant communities where young people meet, learn, discuss, and co-create change. As the name itself suggests, the club's mission is to inform and raise awareness on issues related to gender equality, human rights, gender-based violence, social inequality, sexual and reproductive health, and sexually transmitted infections. All sessions and activities are designed to encourage active engagement, equal participation, and a safe atmosphere where every young person has the opportunity to express themselves and be empowered personally and professionally.

According to Leandro, what drove him to become part of the activities and get involved as a volunteer was a strong desire to contribute and bring about change in his community. From being informed on vital topics to getting to know other young men and women and collaborating with peers from all over the country, these were all a push for Leandro to get involved as a volunteer at the Cërrik Multifunctional Centre, to participate in the "Bëhu Burrë" Club's activities, and to be an advocate against violence.

“The reason I became part of the center was the various activities directly related to young people. One of the many activities I participated in was related to gender-based violence, made possible by UNFPA, as part of the joint UN program, ‘Ending Gender-Based Violence in Albania.’ One of our realized projects is a mural with a message against gender-based violence, placed at the entrance of the city's cinema, which every person who visits sees as the first thing.”

This mural is part of the many activities developed by the "ACT for SOCIETY Centre" and the "Youth Voice Network of Organisations," with the support of UNFPA within the EVAW program. Through collaboration, creativity, and the desire for change, young people are building the future they want to live in.

"Although Cërrik is a small city and, to my knowledge, the level of reported violence is not high, violence is still present, albeit hidden, often with people afraid to report it. Therefore, it is necessary to be well-informed about the mechanism of how and where violence can be addressed and referred," Leandro emphasizes.

Meanwhile, Leandro, now an empowered young man, in addition to sharing information with his peers and the people around him, seeks to use football as a tool to be a greater advocate and promoter of gender equality.

"As a football player, I believe football should be used as a tool to raise awareness and spread messages against violence, not to perpetuate it," he says.

It is also worth noting that efforts to further expand the clubs are already in motion, with the aim of including other cities in addition to the 11 active youth clubs located in: Shkodër, Dibër, Krujë, Gjirokastër, Tiranë, Pukë, Berat, Korçë, Patos, Cërrik, and Klos. These clubs are not just places where young people gain knowledge—they are a platform for activism, experience sharing, and a second family for many of the participants.

Originally published at albania.unfpa.org