ABOUT US
"The organization has given women a safe place to expand their hopes and dreams."
-The Huffington Post
MISSION
We empower young women through mountaineering-based leadership training and community service.
When women lead, societies see better family health, greater personal and societal wealth, and more enduring peace.
Gender equality creates better outcomes for everyone.
We unlock potential to contribute to a world where women can thrive.
WHY
WHAT PEOPLE SAY
-BBC
“Team Ascend.. determined to conquer Afghanistan's highest peak.. a big enough challenge for experienced mountaineers, their goal is made that much harder as they have to climb and train in secret.”
“People feel that women are not supposed to be mountain climbing, women are not supposed to go out of the house and we are changing this stereotype.”
“These women [are] helping to create an Afghan narrative of mountaineering that, above all, valued their own ideas of freedom—both on the mountains and off.”
“Ascend has taught me to follow my dreams”
-Zahra, Ascend Alumna
