Ascend: Leadership Through Athletics

Ascend: Leadership Through Athletics Ascend provides mountaineering based leadership training to empower girls. Ascend has been serving the young women of Afghanistan since 2014.

Our proudest achievement is seeing our program graduates go on to transform their lives through education; nearly all Ascend graduates have gone on to university studies. Most of them come from families where their parents are not literate, so these girls are breaking barriers in a profound way. We use mountain climbing as a way to build confidence and strength. Some of our girls have accomplished

significant climbing feats. Hanifa Yousoufi, part of our program from 2016-2019, is the first Afghan woman to have climbed Mt Noshaq (24,580' or 7,492 meters). Ascend is leading the way by introducing the sport of rock climbing to Afghans. Several of our team members are on track to become certified Single Pitch Instructors in 2020. They will be Afghanistan's first. The program uses mountain climbing as a vehicle to cultivate unity and a sense of shared achievement among Afghan women of different ethnic, religious, and socioeconomic groups. Team members will be challenged to overcome stereotypes and biases and work together to achieve a difficult but tangible goal. The unique attributes of mountain climbing make it an ideal sport for developing strong teams; remote settings far from the distractions of everyday life allow us to create a secure “container” in which team members can bond with one another. The nature of mountaineering requires discipline and precision, and each member of the group relies on the others for her safety. This environment fosters a camaraderie rarely experienced in a culture where women have little opportunity to build relations with one other outside of the family structure, or beyond their own socio-economic or ethnic background. Training includes a blend of physical (fitness and technical) training along with formal instruction in conflict resolution, leadership, and psychology. The program inspires other Afghans with an example of unity and athletic achievement at a time of national crisis and widespread anxiety about the future. Such a straightforward, universally-understood achievement as reaching a mountain peak pushes the bounds of belief in what Afghan women are capable of doing and sets an example for young people in Afghanistan and beyond.

DO YOU LIVE IN WASHINGTON D.C., NORTHERN VIRGINIA, OR MARYLAND? Are you ready to Ascend with us? For more than 10 years,...
08/20/2026

DO YOU LIVE IN WASHINGTON D.C., NORTHERN VIRGINIA, OR MARYLAND? Are you ready to Ascend with us?

For more than 10 years, Ascend Athletics has helped women in Pakistan and Afghanistan rise above trauma, oppressive circumstances, gender bias and more through climbing, mountaineering, and leadership programming. Now, we’re bringing the same opportunities to women in the U.S., starting right here in the nation’s capital region.

Maybe you’re among the 35% of women who feel held back by their gender. Or the 1 in 5 struggling with their mental health. You might be among the thousands of refugees and immigrants trying to build a life in the Washington D.C. metro area. Or perhaps you’re among the 35% of women struggling with domestic violence or the 50% who’ve experienced psychological abuse. Or maybe you just really like to climb, or you always dreamed of learning how.

Whoever you are, you're invited to join us!

When: Every Sunday at 5 p.m.
Where: Sportrock Climbing Centers, 5308 Eisenhower Avenue, Alexandria, VA 22304
Cost: $15 at the door (covers cost of entry and all required gear)
What: Climbing, community building, emotional support, fitness, refreshments, and maybe more!
Register: https://portal.sportrock.com/alexandria/programs/ascend-athletics?date=2026-08-23&course=Q291cnNlOmFkOTdmNjdkZTE2ZGNkYWMxNGI2NTc2ZmRlOGMwNGM2&session=U2Vzc2lvbjpmY2U4NWNiMmJjMzE4NjdiMDAwMjIzYTZiMjU4MTFhNQ==

08/14/2026

When the Taliban took control of Afghanistan five years ago, many wondered if Ascend would be able to continue its work there—and with good reason, given the Taliban’s deeply oppressive treatment of women.

That’s exactly why Ascend remains present and active in Afghanistan today. The programming looks different now. Instead of taking girls into the mountains, we now run a bustling training center, where girls feel valued and safe and can learn alongside peers and mentors. We’re training entrepreneurs, providing vital mental health support, and helping girls find agency over their lives and bodies wherever possible.

We’re also growing. In Pakistan, we help women and girls discover the transformational power of climbing, pursue viable careers in the outdoors, and open doors for thousands of women and girls. And this weekend, we’ll launch our first U.S. program, based at , a family of climbing gyms in the Washington D.C. metro area.

This expansion reflects a vital truth: the struggle for women's autonomy isn’t confined by geographic borders. Our response must be rooted in global solidarity. While women in Afghanistan face the most extreme and devastating manifestation of systemic oppression, the fundamental need to protect women’s choices, bodies, and freedom exists everywhere. After all, no matter where a girl grows up, her right to lead, move freely, and chart her own path is universal.

To see the full video, click the link in our bio or find us on YouTube.

08/10/2026

Eight years ago today, on August 10, 2018, Hanifa Yousoufi stood where no Afghan woman had ever been before: atop the 24,580-foot summit of Mt. Noshaq, Afghanistan’s highest peak. 🏔️✨

Her triumph was more than a physical feat—it was a bold statement to the world that Afghan women possess the strength, courage, and resilience to reach the highest heights imaginable.

This week, five years after the Taliban takeover, the contrast could not be starker. While systemic restrictions attempt to erase women from public life, limit their movement, and strip away their freedom, Hanifa’s historic climb remains an enduring beacon of resistance and hope.

At Ascend, we believe in every girl who wants to rise to her full potential. And in a system of ever more oppressive mandates, they need allies.

We are actively working in Afghanistan right now—building opportunities, nurturing resilience, and shaping a future that values, honors, and empowers the millions of “Hanifas” living there today.

Every girl deserves the chance to reach her summit. 💙

How you can support:
📲 Share this post to amplify the voices and stories of Afghan women.

💙 Visit our website to learn more about our ongoing work in Afghanistan and how you can support our mission. https://www.ascendathletics.org/afghanistan

—

08/08/2026

"It is important for girls here to come and participate." — Anya Ahmed, Ascend Pakistan Participant.

In Pakistan, socio-cultural barriers and a lack of dedicated safe spaces heavily restrict young women’s access to sports. In fact, national research shows that over 70% of female students in Pakistan say that cultural taboos and non-supportive environments are their biggest barrier to participating in athletics.

That is why creating dedicated outdoor leadership spaces for girls in remote regions is so vital.

From hands-on leadership workshops to outdoor wilderness training, our team builds safe, supportive environments where young women can step out of their comfort zones, build physical resilience, and discover their own strength.

Hearing participants like Anya speak up is a powerful reminder: when you give girls the space and opportunity to participate, they don't just join in, they lead.

Access to basic health education isn’t just about wellness, it’s about dignity, confidence, and opportunity. In many rem...
08/05/2026

Access to basic health education isn’t just about wellness, it’s about dignity, confidence, and opportunity.

In many remote regions of Pakistan, deep-rooted taboos around feminine health and hygiene leave young girls with little to no factual information about their own bodies. In fact, research shows that nearly 49% of adolescent girls in Pakistan receive no formal knowledge about menstrual hygiene before experiencing it for the first time.

To bridge this crucial gap, our Ascend Pakistan team recently conducted a vital community service session in Skardu focused on feminine health and hygiene, reaching 335 young participants directly.

The most powerful moment of the day? Seeing their incredible curiosity. For many of these young women, this was the first safe space they had ever been given to ask questions, learn about their bodies, and dispel health myths without judgment.

Learn more about our mission and how you can support through the link in our bio!

07/31/2026

"Before coming here, I had this thought in my mind. I didn't know if I'd actually be able to do it." — Dua, Ascend Pakistan Participant.

Like many young women in Pakistan, Dua initially doubted whether she could take on the physical and mental challenge of rock climbing. For girls in the region, opportunities to participate in outdoor sports have historically been rare.

Transforming that hesitation into absolute confidence is at the heart of Ascend’s mission.

With a safe space, professional equipment, and an encouraging team to back her up, Dua pushed past her self-doubt and experienced the incredible feeling of reaching the top.

When you support Ascend, you aren't just funding sports programs, you are helping young women discover their strength, build resilience, and redefine what is possible for their futures.

Learn more about our global programs and how you can support female athletes worldwide through the link in our bio.

When outdoor professionals share their knowledge, it does more than build technical skills: it strengthens entire commun...
07/28/2026

When outdoor professionals share their knowledge, it does more than build technical skills: it strengthens entire communities and elevates opportunity for the next generation of female leaders to safely and successfully pursue their outdoor dreams. And that's why we at Ascend want to extend a huge thank you to Katie Keeley !

A certified mountain and climbing leader, Katie recently joined our team in Pakistan as a visiting mentor. During her time in Gilgit-Baltistan, she led hands-on training in technical climbing, safety protocols, and leadership helping build confidence and skills that local leaders will carry forward for years to come.

"I really think Ascend is doing an incredible job building community and leadership through climbing," Katie says. "I'm super excited to be a part of it."

Are you an outdoor professional looking to make a global impact? We are always eager to connect with experienced guides, instructors, and outdoor leaders looking to use their skills to make an impact for women outdoors and around the world. Click the link in our bio to get involved!

Sometimes the change we want to see in the world begins at our own front door. That's why we've decided to bring Ascend ...
07/10/2026

Sometimes the change we want to see in the world begins at our own front door. That's why we've decided to bring Ascend programming to women in the U.S.

Nearly five years ago, the Taliban seized and, with it, the hard-won rights of the nation’s 22 million women. While the impact of that moment still resonates for all of us at Ascend, we've also had to recognize a tough reality: For the rest of the world, life ultimately moved on.

The need for Ascend and its mission, however, remains--both in Afghanistan and in Pakistan, where we launched new programming in 2022. That need isn't confined to that one region of the globe: We're seeing a regression in and worldwide, including in the U.S.

And so, as we continue to chart our course forward, we're thrilled to share with you what we hope will be another watershed moment for Ascend: It’s time to bring Ascend to women in the United States.

Click the link in bio to read the full letter from Ascend's founder Marina LeGree ().

06/11/2026

Have you followed our team in Pakistan yet? You should!

From rock climbing, to ice climbing, mountaineering, leadership training, and yoga, Ascend’s Pakistan program is constantly looking for new ways to help the country’s women thrive, learn, and grow.

Whether you live in Pakistan and want to participate in our programming or you just want to check out the cool work we’re doing (and the amazing achievements of the women we work with), follow Ascend Pakistan: Leadership through Athletics to see what we’ve done, what we’re doing, and what’s coming around the bend.

It’s a sobering statistic, but it’s also true: According to the World Health Organization (), 26% of deaths in Afghanist...
06/09/2026

It’s a sobering statistic, but it’s also true: According to the World Health Organization (), 26% of deaths in Afghanistan can be linked to environmental causes. And the biggest environmental health hazard there? Household air pollution.

At Ascend, we believe deeply that in the outdoors, women find the power to thrive, lead, and grow. But doesn’t just take place outdoors—it starts in the home.

Though Afghan women have fewer outdoor opportunities, they’re no less committed to making a positive impact on our planet. That’s why Ascend is proud to partner with .forgirls, which shares our commitment to environmental stewardship and education. As part of this collaboration, we recently held our first online learning session for Afghan women. During the session, women learned about and discussed global environmental issues and how they can make a positive impact starting with their decisions at home.

Thank you, Green for Girls, for helping and girls find opportunities to make a meaningful impact on their world and to become informed changemakers in their communities. We’re so excited to continue learning with you! 💚🌎♻🌲🌊⛰

📸 Photo credit: Habiba Kamal

Want to give? Click the link in our bio to make a donation.

Address

Fairfax, VA

Website

,

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Ascend: Leadership Through Athletics posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Organization

Send a message to Ascend: Leadership Through Athletics:

Shortcuts

Share

Category