Aksel Kryhlmand
Yousafzai and her husband, Asser Malik, are taking a business-forward approach to expanding women’s sports
Malala Yousafzai, the Nobel Peace Prize laureate known globally for her advocacy of girls’ education, is now expanding her mission to a new frontier: women’s sports. Her latest initiative, Recess, seeks to enhance access, investment and visibility for female athletes and young girls around the world.
Turning Passion into Purpose on the Global Sports Stage
A devoted sports enthusiast, Yousafzai has attended numerous high-profile women’s sporting events, from soccer to netball to the Olympics. Now, she is using that passion to promote equity in sports through tangible action. Recess was officially launched during her appearance at the Billie Jean King Power of Women’s Sport Summit in London, and it aims to provide greater opportunities for women at both the professional and grassroots levels.
From my childhood, I saw how sports were considered a boy’s domain,” said Yousafzai in an interview with CNN. “That reality has to change.
Investing in Potential and Pushing for Equity
Yousafzai and her husband, Asser Malik, are taking a business-forward approach to expanding women’s sports. With Malik’s background in cricket operations in Pakistan, the couple is exploring investment opportunities in established leagues like the WNBA and the NWSL.
Their strategy targets both recognized markets and underdeveloped regions, with a focus on showcasing women’s sports as a viable and profitable business.
To grow globally, we need tailored strategies and proof that investing in women’s sports brings real returns, Malik explained.
Supporting Athletes and Building Role Models
Recess also emphasizes the need for more young girls to engage in sports. Research from the Women’s Sports Foundation shows that by age 14, girls drop out of sports at twice the rate of boys. Yousafzai sees role models like WNBA star Caitlin Clark as critical to reversing that trend.
These athletes show girls what’s possible,” said Yousafzai. “Their presence on the court changes mindsets and sends a message that the future of sports includes women at the forefront.
A New Chapter in the Fight for Equality
Yousafzai’s move into sports is a continuation of her lifelong dedication to social justice. Having survived a Taliban assassination attempt and gone on to become one of the most influential human rights advocates of her generation, her focus on women’s sports is yet another avenue through which she hopes to inspire systemic change.
With Recess, we’re not just promoting sports,” she said. “We are promoting equality, unity and a vision where every girl feels empowered to step onto the field.