UN Women Pakistan and the Zalmi Foundation have joined forces to empower women and girls through a newly signed agreement focused on sports, leadership, and economic development. The collaboration aims to advance gender equality by launching initiatives such as national women’s sports leagues and vocational training programs, offering new platforms for women to develop their skills and leadership abilities.
At the signing ceremony in Islamabad, Jamshed M. Kazi, Country Representative for UN Women Pakistan, highlighted the broader vision behind the partnership. He emphasized that empowering women and girls goes beyond the playing field, noting the potential of sports to break down barriers and stereotypes, develop confidence, and create opportunities for leadership and self-reliance. Kazi affirmed UN Women’s dedication to helping women realize their full potential in all areas of life.
Main Abbas, Chief Operating Officer of Peshawar Zalmi and the Zalmi Foundation, reiterated his organization’s commitment to fostering gender equality. He spoke about the transformative impact of sports on building a more inclusive society and the broader empowerment of women in Pakistan, both on and off the cricket field.
Under the new partnership, a series of flagship projects will be introduced to help women and girls gain confidence, leadership skills, and financial independence. These include the creation of women’s cricket and football leagues, coaching and leadership camps, and structured tournaments to identify and nurture regional talent. In addition to sports, the organizations will provide vocational training in skills such as stitching, design, and entrepreneurship, enabling women to set up sustainable home-based businesses.
UN Women will play a key role by offering technical guidance to promote gender mainstreaming, organizing awareness sessions, mentoring opportunities, and promoting media visibility for women’s achievements. The partnership will also focus on connecting participants with mentors from sports and other fields, mobilizing communities to ensure inclusion of women from underrepresented areas, and sharing stories that highlight women breaking traditional barriers.
Institutional engagement will be strengthened through public events, recognition awards, and advocacy campaigns to raise awareness about gender equality. The initiatives are designed to not only advance sports participation but also support the broader goal of economic and social empowerment for women and girls across Pakistan.
UN Women is a leading international entity dedicated to advancing women’s rights and gender equality, working to transform laws, services, and social attitudes to create equal opportunities worldwide. This partnership with the Zalmi Foundation marks a significant step toward fostering inclusion, ambition, and resilience in Pakistan’s communities.
