The adidas Foundation and GIZ extend their S4D initiative in Pakistan for 2026
The project “Game On! For Equality”, focused on improved resilience, better understanding of equal rights and a more inclusive behavior towards others using sport, will continue until September 2026 in the Peshawar and Mardan regions.
Image taken during the orientation of the group of Young Leaders.
Background
Pakistan, home to over 230 million people, has immense potential. However, Pakistan ranks poorly on global indices, such as 161 out of 191 countries on the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) Human Development Index and 142 out of 146 countries on the Global Gender Gap Index by the World Economic Forum. Systemic barriers including poverty, natural disasters exacerbated by climate change and socio-economic and gender disparities impact several communities. Poverty as well as limited educational and sporting opportunities for women and minorities have contributed to present inequalities. In particular, as a result of gender stereotypes and discrimination, there is a lack of safe spaces for girls and women to play sports and reap the benefits of participating.
The project approach
The project “Game On! For Equality” uses a holistic Sport for Development Framework to foster gender equity in Pakistan focusing on three main areas:
- Strengthening sports education by training teachers in government schools in Peshawar and Mardan.
- Empowering young leaders through comprehensive training on gender equality, leadership, sport for development and community mobilization.
- Implementing Sport for Development sessions in schools lead by the Young Leaders and teachers addressing topics like harassment,
gender-based violence and positive masculinity.
“This collaboration demonstrates the power of uniting diverse partners behind a common vision and leveraging the universal language of sport. Together, we are driving transformative change from within existing systems and creating a lasting impact.”
Philipp Lieser, Program Manager, adidas Foundation
A Sport for Development session of the Game On! For Equality Project in Pakistan
The project Impact so far
The impact is backed by an independent study based on 880 participants and with over 700 community- based S4D session implemented. It shows how our project “Game On!” is driving social change:
- 68% of participants significantly changed their perceptions or drastically improved their awareness of gender-based violence, especially violence against women
- Girls’ perceived safety in public spaces increased by 36%
- Progressive gender role attitudes among boys increased by 36%
- Students who reported improved knowledge of harassment and GBV experienced a dramatic rise, from under 10% to 98%
- 32 young leaders were trained as Junior Coaches reaching more than 8,000 students (45% girls) in structured S4D activities in schools.
A good example of the impact of this project are the testimonies from its participants.
One of the young women trained to be a Young Leader shared about the program:
A group of coaches from the Game on! For Equality project in Pakistan
“When I joined the program, I didn’t know what gender equality was,
nor that women could occupy spaces,
or about stereotypes, harassment, and violence.
Now, I see many changes in myself -
I understand gender equity, women’s rights to occupy spaces, and the impact of violence.
I feel confident, and I teach the children. I see a lot of changes in myself and the students.”
One of the young women trained to be a Young Leader in the project
What’s next?
The extension will allow the us to advance in the integration of the Sport for Development (S4D) approach within Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s education system through targeted advisory support, build the capacities of selected government schools and Young Leaders, and further deepen our impact study to measure the project’s effectiveness.
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