Pakistan WE-NET is supporting the participation of girl athletes in Special Olympics Pakistan’s team to the World Games taking place in Abu Dhabi from 14-21 March, 2019.

Special Olympics is a global inclusion movement using sport, health, education and leadership programs every day around the world to end discrimination against and empower people with intellectual disabilities. Special Olympics began its mission to break down barriers and create a more inclusive world. Pakistan joined the Special Olympics movement in 1989 with around 20 registered athletes. The organization now has over 28,000 registered athletes, over 750 coaches and over 3,000 volunteers with more than 330 competitions held by 2018. Special Olympics Pakistan operates by holding trainings and competitions across the country, with its Head Office in Karachi and Regional Offices in Lahore, Islamabad and Peshawar. It also has a presence in Balochistan and Gilgit Baltistan.

Pakistan WE-NET has held several workshops for the students of The Hunar Foundation’s girl campus with regards to marketing their skills and branding. Hunar Foundation’s key objective is to provide school graduates and other young adults with international standard vocational training that meets the expectations of the market, leading to employment or small business creation – and eventually economic freedom and empowerment. The Hunar Foundation offers this opportunity to the underprivileged and marginalized segments of society where the need is more urgent.

Pakistan WE-NET has collaborated with RLCC for the promotion of local crafts and skills women from their livelihood department. This will help increase the participation of women in social and economic life, thereby enabling them to contribute to their family budget. WE-NET has sourced products from RLCC as giveaways for its launch event and Pakistan first Gender and Trade conference. Pakistan WE-NET has also provided mentoring to RLCC with regards to market access.