UN women and Zalmi Foundation sign MoU to promote women’s empowerment through sports and skills development
Celina Ali
Islamabad: UN Women Pakistan and Zalmi Foundation have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collaborate on advancing gender equality and empowering women and girls through sports, leadership, and economic empowerment initiatives.
The signing ceremony, held in Islamabad, marked the beginning of a strategic partnership that will see both organizations join forces on a range of impactful programmes, from national women’s sports leagues to vocational training and community outreach.
Speaking at the ceremony, Jamshed M. Kazi, Country Representative of UN Women Pakistan, said, ” At UN Women, we believe that every woman and girl has the right to realize and reach her full potential — whether in classrooms, at workplaces, in communities or on sports fields. This partnership with Zalmi Foundation is not just about games and competitions; it is about dismantling barriers, defying stereotypes and social norms, and opening doors to leadership and opportunity. Sport has the power to change lives. The ability to drive gender equality by teaching women and girls teamwork, self-reliance, resilience and confidence. Together, we are creating spaces where women’s voices are heard, their talents are celebrated, and their dreams are within reach.”
Main Abbas, Chief Operating Officer- Peshawar Zalmi/Zalmi Foundation, reaffirmed his organization’s commitment to advancing gender equality through this initiative:”We believe in the transformative role of sports in shaping a more inclusive society. By joining hands with UN Women, we aim to not only promote women in cricket but also support broader efforts for women’s empowerment in Pakistan.”
Under partnership, a series of flagship initiatives will be launched to promote women’s empowerment through sports and skills development. These initiatives include women’s cricket and football leagues aimed at expanding opportunities for young girls to participate in competitive sports, along with skills training programmes designed to strengthen women’s economic independence. The sports leagues will involve regional talent identification, structured tournaments, coaching camps, and leadership sessions, while the vocational training will focus on stitching, design, and entrepreneurship, enabling women to establish sustainable home-based businesses. UN Women will contribute by providing technical guidance on gender mainstreaming, facilitating awareness sessions on women’s rights, offering mentorship opportunities, and supporting media visibility.
Beyond the field and training spaces, the partnership will emphasize mentorship and leadership development by connecting participants with role models from sports and other sectors, community mobilization to ensure inclusive participation from underrepresented areas, and strategic storytelling to highlight inspiring examples of women breaking barriers. Institutional engagement will be reinforced through public events, recognition awards, and advocacy initiatives promoting gender equality.
This collaboration represents a multi-dimensional commitment to creating opportunities for women and girls, enhancing confidence and leadership, and challenging stereotypes through both sports and economic empowerment. It marks a significant step towards fostering inclusion, resilience, and ambition across Pakistan.
