ABSTRACT
Since 2014, Free to Run has worked tirelessly to support women and girls in conflict-affected regions through outdoor sports and leadership activities, building a fearless community of over 3,500 athletes to date across Afghanistan and Iraq. As discussed in this chapter, Free to Run uses sports as an opportunity to create an intercultural dialogue between girls who would otherwise never have the opportunity to connect. Through this, Free to Run encourages social inclusion and female participation in public spaces, decision-making processes, and community leadership roles and supports advancements toward SDGs 3, 4, 5 10, and 16. In 2019, during ongoing security concerns in both countries, Free to Run supported 875 women participants (15–25 years old) to attend over 1,000 sports sessions and 650 educational sessions. Currently, despite security and COVID-related obstacles, Free to Run is diligently adapting its work to continue inspiring participants to use sports safely and boldly in public spaces and envision new possibilities for their futures.
