Free to Run is an international organization that supports women and girls living in areas of conflict through adventure sports to build their physical, emotional, and social well-being; developing them into community leaders so they can bring people together across cultural, ethnic, and religious lines. Free to Run Iraq currently is working with internally displaced person (IDP) camps in Erbil, focusing on women and girls ages 15 – 25. Through our program, we increase opportunities for marginalized women and girls to engage in public life, using sport as a tool for women’s empowerment and education. We focus on the physical, emotional, and social well-being of our participants and develop them into community leaders to be a force for change, challenge the traditional role of women and girls, and bring people together across cultural, ethnic, and religious lines. We believe that the free, full, and equal participation of all women and girls are fundamental freedoms key to resolving conflict and promoting peace. The objectives of Free to Run are to: 1. Create safe spaces for women and girls to engage in public sport and social service activities, 2. Increase leadership and life skills among participants in their own communities and beyond, and 3. Promote concrete measures to widen participation for women and girls in public life.
