Cover Malala Yousafzai and the Afghan women's soccer team in August 2023 (Photo: Getty Images)
Malala Yousafzai and the Afghan women's soccer team in August 2023 (Photo: Getty Images)
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Malala Yousafzai’s childhood memories of being left out of the cricket field sowed the seeds for Recess, an initiative that promotes gender equality in sports
Nobel Peace Prize winner and education activist Malala Yousafzai, along with her husband, Asser Malik, launched a global initiative called Recess. The announcement was made earlier this week, on June 24, at the Billie Jean King Power of Women’s Sport Summit in London.
Yousafzai, committed to advocating for women’s education, founded the Malala Fund in 2013 to promote educational rights for girls worldwide. Her dedication to this cause was recognised globally when she became the youngest recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize in 2014, at the age of 17. Now, she is expanding her focus to include the advancement of women’s sports.
Here are five facts that you need to know about the new initiative.
Also read: Female leaders come together for gender equality with AVPN private soirée in Hong Kong
As a sports fan, Malala Yousafzai is passionate about women’s rights in sports
Above Malala is a sports fanatic (Photo: Instagram / @malala)
Malala is a sports fanatic (Photo: Instagram / @malala)
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Yousafzai is globally recognised as an activist and human rights campaigner, renowned for her inspirational story of surviving an assassination attempt by the Taliban at age 15. But beyond her activism, she is also a passionate sports enthusiast.
Yousafzai has been spotted in the stands at major women’s sports events over the past few years, cheering on athletes in cricket, soccer, basketball, netball, as well as at the Olympic and Commonwealth Games. This enthusiasm for sports underscores her commitment to supporting and promoting women’s participation in athletics, which aligns with the goal of her new initiative.
Malala Yousafzai’s new platform Recess unlocks opportunities for women
Above Malala and the Afghan women's soccer team (Photo: Getty Images)
Malala and the Afghan women's soccer team (Photo: Getty Images)
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Recess’s goal is to uplift women in sports by addressing the lack of investment and opportunities in the field. It focuses on a comprehensive strategy to advance professional women’s sports in both established and emerging markets. It aims to boost female participation and increase global investment in sports. As stated on its official website, the fund’s mission is to “unlock opportunity for women and girls—on and off the field—and transform the way the game is played, seen and led.”
Yousafzai’s husband, Malik, who has a wealth of experience managing a cricket franchise in Pakistan and working with the Pakistan Cricket Board, brings a strategic, business-forward approach to the development of women’s sports.
The idea behind Recess came from Malala Yousafzai’s childhood
Recess’s inspiration comes from Yousafzai’s memories of her school days in Swat, Pakistan.
“Growing up, I watched boys play cricket at recess, while I stayed behind in the classroom with the other girls. In too many places around the world, girls are not allowed or encouraged to participate in sports,” said Yousafzai in her Instagram post.
That moment made her realise how limited girls’ access to sports was, and she said it has stayed with her since childhood. She addresses this very issue with Recess.
Also read: Feminist Malala explains how Asser helped change her mind on marriage
Recess addresses the lack of investment in women’s sports
Above Malala Yousafzai launched her new initiative "Recess" (Photo: Instagram / @malala)
Malala Yousafzai launched her new initiative "Recess" (Photo: Instagram / @malala)
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Yousafzai has highlighted the lack of sufficient investment in women’s sports, which results in missed opportunities for women to grow up and compete in sports. Through Recess, Yousafzai aims to address this gap, ensuring that women and girls have enough opportunities in sports, just like their male counterparts.
In an Instagram post, Yousafzai stated, “Women’s sports are growing fast—not just in visibility, but in influence. Yet they are still one of the most underinvested sectors in the world. From the field to the owner’s box, Recess wants to change the game for women—and the girls who look up to them.”
Influential advisors supporting Recess
Above Malala committed to advocating for women's education (Photo: Instagram / @malala)
Malala committed to advocating for women's education (Photo: Instagram / @malala)
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Recess is supported by influential advisors such as Billie Jean King and Ilana Kloss, both renowned for their longstanding advocacy for women’s sports as a legitimate business sector. By collaborating with these advocates and utilising the platform of the summit, Yousafzai shows her commitment to garnering greater support for women in sports.
She has also identified the US’s National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) and Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) as key leagues for potential investment, recognising the huge potential for growth within these organisations. This strategic focus not only aims to elevate women’s sports but also seeks to prove their commercial viability and expand their influence globally.
