Afghani and Pakistani girls, ages 15-24 develop self-esteem, leadership skills and positive health habits through Ascend's experiential program which builds resilience and leadership skills. We create a safe space for girls to engage in activities that support their mental and physical health, life skills, and engagement in her community. With the support of women leaders and their peers, girls unlock their potential, contribute to their communities, and thrive amongst other women.
Girls in Afghanistan and Pakistan face enormous hurdles in life. Pakistan and Afghanistan are ranked as two of the least gender equitable countries worldwide, with Afghan women over 12 barred from education and most types of employment. Leadership roles for women in both countries are hard to come by. These disparities affect the health, economic, and educational opportunities for women which negatively affects their families, their communities, and the overall economic well-being.
Ascend invests in women by building self-esteem and confidence which has transformative effects on how women see themselves and how they engage with their families and communities. Trained female instructors create safe and sanctioned spaces for women to safely explore 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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