The 19-year-old girl from Chitral, Pakistan, who was the sole female athlete in her area in 2016 and the inspiration for the Karishma Ali Foundation (KAF) started as a fantasy.
My goal was to tell other girls in the area about my experiences. We are having a direct influence on 500 girls’ lives today.
KAF is one of the very few women-led organizations that supports creative and long-lasting sports and physical activity programs as a tactic for social change and women’s empowerment, particularly in underprivileged areas, with a particular emphasis on young women from the Kalash group. KAF is a non-governmental organization with registration.
Our comprehensive approach gives young girls the skills and chances they need to succeed by combining sports instruction, mental health care through art therapy, education on gender-based violence, and leadership development.
Many of our young athletes have engaged in community activity and competed in a variety of sports today. Some have achieved full athletic scholarships for university study, proving the revolutionary power of our initiatives.
We have also worked with Afghan refugees, understanding the challenges they confront in Pakistan. Recently, working with partners, we successfully planned a seven-day football camp. Afghan girls may play, mingle outside of their families, engage, and share their experiences in a safe environment at this camp. Owing to the encouraging comments, KAF intends to hold this camp every three months to provide continuous chances and empower women by enhancing their soft skills.
My struggles and setbacks served as a testament to the barriers that prevent Pakistani women from engaging in physically active outdoor pursuits. This was preventing women, especially young girls, from developing important psycho-social skills in addition to depriving almost half of the population of equal athletic chances.
Sports were crucial in helping me develop into the leader I am today. My recognition in esteemed magazines like Forbes, CNN, BCC, and Pride of Pakistan, as well as my participation in programs like UN Women 30 for 2030 and the Pakistan National Youth Council, have been greatly influenced by it.
My accomplishments may be greatly attributed to the discipline and devotion that sports have instilled in me. Like me, I think every girl in Pakistan should be given the chance to use athletics to reach her full potential. Together, we can create a Pakistan that is more developed, inclusive, and better.
