UPDATES AND BLOGS

When the Taliban took control of Afghanistan five years ago, it was a defining and devastating moment for Ascend. Today, it’s time to reflect on our journey since then and, above all, to look ahead to the future and chart a course forward. For the women and girls who’ve been with us from the beginning—and for the women and girls we still hope to reach—it’s time for Ascend to come home. “If one man can destroy everything, why can’t one girl change it?” Malala Yousafzai, Pakist

Have you ever wondered whether your donation truly makes a difference? At Ascend, we’re keenly aware that what we do is only possible because of your generosity. In this blog, our founder and executive director Marina LeGree explains what it takes to keep Ascend going year after year and the incredible impact made by donations of any size. By Marina LeGree, Founder and Executive Director, Ascend When people ask me what it takes to run Ascend, I start with the extraordinary yo

If a strict upbringing in the Deep South taught me anything, it's this: Everyone desperately needs a third place, especially women and especially those from a particularly restrictive culture or environment. But what happens when your third place winds up being just as confining?

Ascend: Leadership Through Athletics is proud to announce a new partnership with U.N. Women Afghanistan to implement the Building Climate Resilience and Social Cohesion in Dasht-e-Barchi project in Kabul. The project places women and youth at the center of community-based climate action. Women have an important role in household water management, environmental practices, community awareness, and social cohesion. Through the project, women will have opportunities to participat

Ascend graduate Zarghona on a hike. Five years ago, Zarghona fled Afghanistan. Today, she's a breast cancer researcher determined to make an impact for women everywhere, especially in her homeland. by Ben Acheson It was 2019 in Kabul, Afghanistan, and Zarghona was having doubts. Having recently joined Ascend: Leadership through Athletics, she was halfway into her very first hike, and the regret was building. “Why am I doing this?” she asked herself. But, step by step, wit

Smog viewable over Afghanistan. Afghanistan is one of the countries most vulnerable to the risks and consequences of climate change. Here's how Ascend is partnering with Green for Girls to empowering young Afghan women to step up for climate action. When people think about climate change, they often picture melting glaciers, rising sea levels, or devastating wildfires. But for Afghanistan, climate change is much closer to home. It affects the water families depend on, the cro

Video of Ascend entrepreneurs' success stories

Women's entrepreneurship program in Afghanistan gives new opportunities to women.