Equal Pay is a Catalyst for Leadership Growth

A guest post by our Ascend Pakistan Program Manager

By Farwa Ali

My name is Farwa Ali and I am a dedicated Program Manager at Ascend

Athletics Pakistan. We focus on developing and delivering initiatives that

empower young women through outdoor education, leadership, and

community engagement.

At Ascend, I have experienced an environment where equity is not just

spoken about, but practiced. As a women based program, Ascend ensure

that staff are compensated fairly and transparently, and that there is no

gap in recognition, pay, or opportunity compared to men, which for me

was a game changing experience. I feel my confidence in my abilities has

grown a big deal. Something I really am proud of at Ascend is that we

have a female CEO that in itself is inspiring. I have no barriers in

leadership role, capacity building opportunities, respect, and visibility.

For me, all this is more than just numbers.

Being part of an organization that is women-led and women-focused has

shown me how powerful true equity can be. Here, equity is not just a

goal, it is practiced every day, ensuring that the team experience what a

fair workplace should look like, not just in respect to numbers but all

aspects without any bias.

Equal Pay Day is a reminder that women around the world continue to

earn less than men for the same work which impacts them for life. I

stand in solidarity with the global call for closing the wage gap and

advancing equity in all forms. I am proud of being part of an organization

that not only advocates for equity but live by it, proving that, when

women are paid equally and treated with fairness, they rise as leaders.