ISLAMABAD: To celebrate International Women’s Day, the Spanish Football Academy in collaboration with UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, arranged a friendly football match between Afghan refugee and Pakistani women’s teams.
Under this year’s theme of ‘invest in women’, the event in Islamabad was supported by the Barça Foundation, aimed at celebrating the strength and resilience of all girls and women, including refugees, and providing an inclusive platform for both Pakistani and Afghan players to come together in the spirit of sportswoman ship.
The occasion marked the first opportunity for the Afghan team to play as a team together since they fled to Pakistan in search of safety about 3 years ago. Thanks to the generous support from the Spanish Football Academy, they have resumed training 3 days a week, improving their fitness and honing their skills. With encouragement from the Pakistan team, the Afghan females dug deep and did not quit, with players sharing their strength as well as passion for the game.
UNHCR’s Representative in Pakistan Philippa Candler said that sports have the power to transcend borders and cultures, offering empowerment and hope to those who have been forced to flee their homes.
Aim of Bringing Together Pakistan and Afghan Women’s Football Teams
Candler said that by bringing together the Pakistani and Afghan women’s football teams, we aim to promote peace, unity, and empowerment among women from these neighbouring nations.
Candler also stressed the significance of investing in women and girls’ well-being and health, underlining the positive impact on entire communities when women are empowered.
The football event is part of a commitment by UNHCR to focus on the physical and mental health of refugees and host communities, with participation in sports providing a transformative opportunity for girls and women to flourish and thrive.
