Meet the women of the 2016 Global Sports Mentoring Program

The Global Sports Mentoring Program is back for its fifth year, and 16 women from around the world are in the United States to take part in the month-long mentorship program (watch the video).

The goal of the initiative, which is run by the U.S. Department of State and espnW, is to empower women worldwide through sports. Each of the so-called emerging leaders, who have built some experience in the sports industry, is paired with an executive at a top U.S. organization. While they’re in the U.S., the participants and their mentors will shape action plans to take back to their home countries.

This year’s GSMP class includes women from Brazil, West Africa, Moldova, South Korea, Jordan, Argentina, Mexico, New Zealand, Macedonia, Paraguay, Pakistan, the Philippines and Ukraine.

So far, 66 women have graduated from the program and have returned to their native countries to start non-governmental organizations, impact public policy and create opportunities for girls to participate in sports.

Original article: http://www.espn.com/espnw/culture/article/17938893/meet-women-2016-global-sports-mentoring-program