This project prepares girls to lead empowered lives. In places where girls face the highest barriers to opportunity, we help them develop self esteem, mental and physical health, and leadership skills. Ascend's learning centers, in Afghanistan and Pakistan, are safe spaces where girls can advance their physical and mental health, and connect with one another.
Pakistan is ranked as second to last in the world for gender equality. Although national policies are improving, progress is unevenly distributed. Girls still face massive barriers to their wellbeing, both culturally and practically. Early marriage, underemployment, and disparity in educational opportunities prevent girls from thriving. Pakistan's economic and health outcomes are dependent upon better investment in girls and women.
Ascend invests in girls by building self-esteem and confidence through sport, which has a transformative impact on wellbeing outcomes throughout their lives. Trained female instructors create safe and sanctioned spaces for women to safely strengthen their health, leadership skills, outdoor and environmental aptitude, and community engagement. Participation helps to build confidence, teamwork, and self-determination; characteristics that positively impact all areas of life.
Participants with Ascend become ambassadors of strength, self-determination, positive health for their communities; sharing knowledge with peers and family; and bringing opportunities to others. By investing in the training of local women and providing girls with early access to support networks of women, new avenues of learning and a sense of purpose, Ascend is helping to open doors for women where too many have been shut.
This project has provided additional documentation in a PDF file (projdoc.pdf).
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