The M Jator Hi! programme is set to commence on 3 November in Eibar, providing a new series of physical activity sessions specifically designed for women from various cultural backgrounds. This initiative is spearheaded by the Culture and Sports Department of the Gipuzkoa Provincial Council in collaboration with the Eibar City Council and local entities, with the goal of improving access to sports for women who face greater challenges in participating.
Goizane Álvarez, the Gipuzkoa Provincial Council's Councillor for Culture and Sports, and Jon Iraola, the Mayor of Eibar, announced the details of the new programme, which will initially accommodate 16 participants divided into two groups. Álvarez stated, “M Jator Hi! aims to facilitate access to physical activity for women who encounter various barriers to participation. The programme takes into account their needs and circumstances, combining sports practice with spaces for meeting and interaction among women from different backgrounds.”
Mayor Iraola added, “Sport has something very special: it allows us to get to know each other, share experiences, and connect with people we might not otherwise meet. With initiatives like M Jator Hi!, we want all women to find spaces where they feel comfortable, participate, and engage, regardless of their background or circumstances. In Eibar, we are committed to being an open city where differences are an opportunity for enrichment, and where everyone can feel included.”
The activities will run from 3 November to 22 December, with a subsequent session planned from 12 to 26 January. Sessions will take place on Tuesdays, with two groups of eight participants each. The first group will engage in activities from 10:15 to 11:00, while the second will follow from 11:00 to 11:45.
This programme is supported by Eibar Kirolak and the municipal area of Immigration and Social Services, in conjunction with Andretxea, the Empalabramiento Programme, and the Eibar Adult Education School. This collaboration enables the identification of participants' needs, facilitates their integration into activities, and establishes trust-based relationships that encourage ongoing participation.
M Jator Hi! focuses particularly on women in vulnerable or socially excluded situations, adopting an intercultural perspective that includes women of various nationalities, cultures, and socioeconomic realities, alongside local women. The programme identifies different barriers that may hinder sports participation among women from diverse backgrounds, such as economic difficulties, family responsibilities, cultural differences, prejudices, and discrimination.
To address these challenges, M Jator Hi! combines adapted physical activities, community support, and coordination between municipal services and social entities. It also includes awareness-raising and training actions for technical and coaching staff to promote accessible, safe, and inclusive sports environments. In addition to encouraging healthy habits, the activities aim to create meeting spaces for women from different backgrounds, foster mutual understanding, and strengthen social relationships and community support networks.
M Jator Hi! is also being implemented in Ordizia, Bergara, Irun, and Donostia-San Sebastián, with activities organised in collaboration with the respective city councils and local entities.
