TOGETHER STRONGER

Through Together, Stronger / أقَْوَى سَویّة (Sawia, Akwa), Free to Run highlights stories from athletes, advocates, and allies who are raising awareness that sport is not free for girls and women everywhere.

At the heart of this campaign is a chant used during Free to Run trainings in Iraq: “Together, Stronger / أقَْوَى سَویّة (Sawia, Akwa).” 

In conflict-affected regions like Afghanistan, Iraq, and Palestine, girls and young women face extraordinary barriers to participating in outdoor sports, from societal expectations and safety concerns to the daily realities of war and instability. At Free to Run, we’ve seen how running can be a transformative tool for leadership and gender justice. 

The phrase “Together, Stronger” mobilizes girls as they train locally, but it’s also a call for global solidarity. From Iraq to Toronto, Afghanistan to Berlin, and everywhere in between, we are amplifying the message that every girl deserves the freedom to move.

Catch up on the latest episodes on this page, or by following Free to Run on social media via the links below.

Want to be featured in an upcoming episode? Tell us your story here: freetorun.org/blog/together-stronger