USW donates photography kit to Liberia gender equality project

The University of South Wales (USW) has donated hundreds of pounds’ worth of photography equipment to a youth empowerment and gender equality programme in Liberia, which uses Rugby Sevens as a tool to help prevent violence against women and girls.

What Can I Do? (WCID) is a non-profit organisation created to prevent gender-based violence (GBV) through positive training. Its ambitious Liberia 7-15 project introduces Rugby Sevens across all 15 counties of Liberia, with participation only open to those who complete GBV prevention training.

The pilot programme was launched earlier this month in Monrovia, with rugby coaches training the next generation of local coaches. Boys and girls from local schools in the region will learn to play rugby, and participate in compulsory rugby workshops on gender-based violence prevention, delivered by trained local leaders. Children will be fed, supported, and equipped, and the pilot will culminate in Liberia’s first inter-school rugby tournament.

By linking sport with education, the project aims to create a new generation of allies who lead with respect, equality, and accountability. Each session combines education on gender equality, prevention of violence against women and girls, leadership and life skills, and a guaranteed meal for every participant.

The aim of the project is that, by 2029, 15 regional county rugby clubs will be established, with 30 school clubs and 30 community clubs, training over 2,000 young people and 250 leaders in Liberia. By 2030, it is hoped that the first Liberia 7-15 National Tournament for boys, girls, men and women will be held, built on unity, respect, resilience, and equality. And in 2031, WCID plan to launch Liberia’s women’s and men’s international Rugby Sevens teams.

Mark Lee Hegarty, founder of WCID, recently travelled to Liberia to hand over the donation of equipment – including SLR cameras and rugby balls – to the project.

He said: “This incredibly generous donation from the University of South Wales is a game changer for our work in Liberia. Not only will it allow us to better document the Liberia 7-15 programme as it grows across the country, but more importantly, it gives young people and local leaders the opportunity to tell their own stories.

“That sense of ownership is incredibly powerful. This isn’t just about capturing moments, it’s about building confidence, developing skills, and ensuring that the voices of these communities are seen and heard around the world.”

Sarah Llewellyn, Academic Subject Officer in the Faculty of Business and Creative Industries at USW, organised the donation. She added: “When Mark first told me about the Liberia 7-15 project, I knew straight away that I wanted to help. His enthusiasm and commitment were infectious, and he really inspired me. Having lived in Africa as a child, in Nigeria and Egypt, I’ve seen first-hand what a beautiful continent it is. It’s not without its challenges, of course, but we’re all human and helping one another is what life is about.

“As a rugby player, like Mark, my father set up Cairo Rugby Club in the late 1970s with the idea of bringing people together through sport. So, the concept of using rugby to educate and challenge gender-based violence was another big reason I wanted to support the project. I know women who have experienced domestic violence and have personal experience of it too, even with laws designed to protect us. As Nelson Mandela said, ‘Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world’. 

“Before my current role, I worked as the photography technical officer and knew we had camera kits that weren’t being used. I asked my colleagues whether USW could donate cameras to the project and their response was really positive. Our colleagues at the Sport Park were also very generous in donating rugby balls to the project. Mark was very grateful, and I’m looking forward to the forthcoming Liberia 7-15 documentary.”