Ten female Pakistani hockey players and two female coaches have returned from their June 2013 U.S. State Department-sponsored exchange “Empowering Women and Girls through Sports Initiative.” The program aims to increase the number of women and girls involved in sports and builds on the U.S. global commitment to advance the rights of women and girls around the world. The visit coincides with the 41st anniversary of Title IX. Their visit included meetings and field hockey clinics in Washington DC, activities supporting disability rights, and community volunteerism at the University of North Carolina-Greensboro. The Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) chose the participants from across Pakistan, with an emphasis on recruiting girls from rural areas with little access to similar opportunities.
The U.S. Consulate General in Lahore organized a welcome home reception n for the players when they returned to Pakistan. During the session, the girls shared their experiences with Consul General Nina Fite, including how it changed their perception about women’s rights.
