EMPOWERMENT THOUGH RUNNING
Using outdoor sports to develop girls’ and young women’s leadership and wellness, and address gender inequity in areas of conflict.
ABOUT FREE TO RUN
Free to Run operates in some of the most challenging regions in the world, where decades of conflict and instability have resulted in extreme social isolation for women and girls as well as harassment, constrained mobility, and unequal access to education. Founded by ultra runner and human rights lawyer, Stephanie Case, Free to Run began with simple hiking activities that were requested by a group of young women in Afghanistan.
Since 2014, we have worked to create positive change in the lives of girls and young women living in regions of conflict, creating safe spaces so that they can feel free to run and participate in outdoor sports. Today, we have programs operating in Afghanistan and Iraq that have impacted the lives of thousands of individuals.
“Free to Run means a lot to me. Women in Arab and Kurdish society are greatly oppressed by their lack of opportunities, while with just small support, they can achieve a lot. Free to Run supports women to become leaders. I see this as a very great achievement in our society. ”
OUR PROGRAMS
Free to Run programs include a combination of physical fitness, life skills, and leadership development. Girls and young women are given the opportunity to participate in public, outdoor sports like running, hiking, and camping. They also volunteer in their community and even lead local projects to further strengthen their leadership capabilities.
At Free to Run, we are not focused on measuring athletic performance. The success of our programs is linked to the skills and competencies that participants develop, as well as the shift in attitudes achieved within themselves and in the surrounding communities. Our goal is to challenge gender norms using sport as a tool of empowerment and education.
“Sometimes we think we lost everything in Afghanistan and are no longer athletes. When someone comes and trains me like you did, I feel more motivated and am reminded I am an athlete.”
