By Tapiwa Chawagarira
THE Confederation of African Football (CAF) has launched a continent-wide research initiative examining menstrual health and its impact on the participation and well-being of female footballers.
The project, conducted under the CAF Research Hub, aims to gain a better understanding of the experiences of girls and women involved in CAF competitions and development programmes, including the CAF Women’s Champions League and the CAF African Schools Football Championship.
The research comes as women’s football continues to expand across the continent, with CAF seeking practical ways to address health-related challenges that could affect players both on and off the field.
According to CAF, the study will examine how menstrual health can influence participation, confidence, attendance, and the overall football experience, while also identifying measures that CAF Member Associations can adopt to provide better support to players.
The research is being carried out across all six CAF Zonal Unions during the ongoing Women’s Champions League qualifiers. It will also continue during the zonal phase of the 2026/27 CAF African Schools Football Championship, allowing researchers to gather information from players at different stages of the women’s football pathway.
Among the areas being examined are menstrual cycle awareness, knowledge of menstrual health, communication between players and medical personnel, access to medical support, and the use of hormonal contraception.
The study will also examine the relationship between menstrual health and football performance, as well as the availability and use of menstrual products during competitions.
CAF’s role in supporting menstrual health within its women’s competitions will also be part of the research.
CAF Director of the Member Associations Division, Sarah Mukuna, said the initiative is an important step towards addressing the specific health needs of female players across Africa.
“The Menstrual Cycle Research Initiative represents an important milestone in our efforts to better understand and support the specific health needs of female players across Africa,” Mukuna said.
She said the findings would help CAF develop practical programmes to improve the environment in which female footballers operate.
The research outcomes are expected to contribute to future CAF guidelines, educational programmes, and capacity-building initiatives for Member Associations and other stakeholders involved in women’s football.
The initiative also forms part of CAF President Dr Patrice Motsepe’s broader vision to increase girls’ participation in football while strengthening player welfare from the grassroots level.
By focusing on menstrual health at both elite and developmental levels, CAF hopes the research will provide evidence that can be translated into practical support systems for female players throughout the continent.
