Malala launches ‘Recess’ to promote women’s sports globally

Malala’s Big Move: A New Chapter for Women in Sports

Nobel Peace Prize winner Malala Yousafzai is now entering the world of sports with an ambitious goal: to support women athletes. In her new program, Kicking Through Doors, Malala hopes to dismantle the barriers that prevent women from participating in and progressing within sports, especially in South Asia and the Middle East. Malala publicly announced the initiative as part of a press event in Paris. She said sports provide women with strength, confidence, and courage —social skills that can assist them in all aspects of life. She also noted that, as a young girl, she wanted to play sports, but was told that it was “only for boys.”

“It’s empowering girls. It’s sending a powerful message to women, to all of us, that the sky’s the limit"

In an exclusive interview with @AmandaDCNN, @Malala explains how her new investment initiative hopes to change women's sports at every level https://t.co/hkK4IgCwR7 pic.twitter.com/KZV5J0xRTS

— CNN Sports (@cnnsport) June 24, 2025

What is Kicking Through Doors?

The new initiative is being driven by three focus areas:

Funding —152to provide support for women’s sports teams and organizations through grants.

Training and Mentoring —152to provide assistance and coaching development support to female athletes,

Partnerships —152to create relationships with clubs and organizations that are interested in working with women in sports. The Malala Fund is funding the program, and it is being developed with the input of some of the largest names in the sports space. This includes all types of sporting agencies and women athletes who are willing to provide.