UN Women Pakistan and Zalmi Foundation have entered a partnership aimed at promoting gender equality and empowering women and girls across Pakistan through sports, leadership, and economic initiatives. The collaboration will launch a series of programs designed to break down barriers and create new opportunities, marking a significant step towards fostering inclusion and ambition for women across the country.
The newly signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) outlines plans for a broad range of initiatives, including the establishment of women’s cricket and football leagues to encourage participation of young girls in competitive sports. These leagues will feature regional talent scouting, organized tournaments, coaching camps, and leadership development sessions. In addition to sporting opportunities, vocational training programs will be introduced, focusing on skills such as stitching, design, and entrepreneurship. These programs aim to help women achieve economic independence, particularly by enabling them to launch and sustain home-based businesses.
Jamshed M. Kazi, Country Representative for UN Women Pakistan, emphasized the broader purpose behind the partnership, noting that sports is not only a platform for competition but also an instrument for overcoming stereotypes and opening doors to leadership and opportunity for women and girls. He highlighted the power of sports to build resilience, teamwork, and confidence.
Main Abbas, Chief Operating Officer of Zalmi Foundation, reiterated the organization’s dedication to a more inclusive society, stating that the partnership aspires to support women not just in cricket but across diverse areas of empowerment throughout Pakistan.
Additional aspects of the partnership include mentorship opportunities that connect participants with role models from both sports and other professional sectors. The initiative will also focus on community mobilization to encourage participation from underrepresented regions, and will utilize strategic storytelling to spotlight the successes of women who break through social and cultural barriers. Public events, recognition awards, and advocacy campaigns will further reinforce the commitment to gender equality.
UN Women will provide technical expertise on gender mainstreaming, facilitate awareness sessions on women’s rights, offer guidance through mentorship, and increase the visibility of women’s achievements through media support.
This collaboration between UN Women Pakistan and Zalmi Foundation sets the stage for a more inclusive future, leveraging sports and skills training to empower women, promote leadership, and challenge long-standing stereotypes.
