The head honcho of Canada in Pakistan, Leslie Scanlon, joined forces with a band of ice-hockey aficionados, including her own puck-stopping daughter who is a coach, to partake in five winter galas held in Chitral and Gilgit-Baltistan in January 2023.

This marked the fourth year in a row that our northern neighbors have taken part in these winter fiestas with the aim of uplifting women and girls through sports, spreading the message of environmental preservation and sustainable tourism, and fueling community-driven economic growth, especially for the fairer sex.

Canada and The Aga Khan Rural Support Programme (AKRSP) joined forces through the Canada Fund for Local Initiatives to give a helping hand to communities that show a strong commitment to putting together inclusive winter festivals, sparking discussions about climate change adaptation and environmental conservation, and boosting female business owners.