It is still surprising to many in Karachi when they see a woman riding a scooter or even driving a car. In several parts of Pakistan, especially in Sindh, it is still treated as something unusual, even shocking. While in cities like Lahore and Islamabad, this practice is slowly becoming common.
We must realise that mobility is a basic necessity, not a privilege that is tied to gender. Women should have the freedom to ride a scooter or drive a car whenever they want, without hesitation or fear of criticism. For men, driving is taken as a natural part of life, so the same must be true for women. Normalising this practice will empower women to be independent, confident and active contributors in society.
Parents, too, must encourage their daughters to learn to drive without worrying about what people will say. When families and communities support women in mobility, they promote equality, safety and progress. A society cannot move forward when half of its population is held back by outdated mindsets. It is time we treat women driving as ordinary, not extraordinary, just as we do for men.
Zoha Indhar
Lahore
