Pakistani women ride their bikes towards the city's landmark Faisal Mosque to mark International Women's day in Islamabad on March 8, 2013. PHOTO: AFP
Some wearing helmets, others in head scarfs, dressed in jeans or in the loose dresses traditional in Pakistan, the group navigated the leafy streets with colourful balloons tied to their handlebars, past baffled police and security guards.
To mark International Women's Day in a country where women are rarely seen on a bike, they set out from Kohsar market, a collection of upmarket coffee shops, to the city's landmark Faisal Mosque set in the Margalla Hills.
"The point is that women have the right to ride a bicycle. We are just having girl power here," said charity worker Masoora Ali, 30.
"I remember when I was little I used to ride a bicycle quite openly but... when I was growing up and I was at school or college I was told not to do it publicly because it is not acceptable in society," she added.
Pakistan does not ban women riding bikes, but it is rare even in Islamabad where driving is less erratic than on the traffic-choked streets of the two biggest cities, Karachi and Lahore.
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For All of you thinking this is an "NGO" initiative, you are wrong. This was a social media event, we asked people who wanted to join us for a healthy activity and give a positive message about Pakistan. Not a single penny was asked for from anyone. And Well even though AFP painted the news item slightly with a tint, we had young and old women and children cycling. All of you who believe this activity had no impact , well it did. It has all of you talking and thinking about what is positive and what is not. So instead of just lazing around on the keyboard let us all do what we can do and spread some happiness and positiveness about Pakistan.
@Parvez: Easier said than done. I have been riding a bike in Lahore for over 20 years, but the number of times I have been pushed off my bike, harassed and mauled, is too painful to mention. And here I'm not talking about the stares, jeers, leers, cat-calls and lewd gestures that are prompted by the sight of a woman on a bike. For many years now, I only ride my bike in boys' clothes, hair in a cap, with a scarf on my face. This is NOT the ideal situation. Maybe if more women openly came out on the streets on their bikes, the normalcy of the "phenomenon" would make it safer for other women.
The REAL women of Pakistan want food, healthcare, security of life & education for herself and her family and not this pseudo-liberal crap! Stunts like these, particularly in front of the Faisal Masjid, turn the people against them trivializing the real issues and making life for the real women just a little bit harder.
Good.They have a right to ride a bike and if some man stares them than they should punch him on the face
a total of 10 people. :((.
@yasir: And being from the elite class doesn't make one a real woman? I am sure you have something set wrong in your head. The event was open to everyone, any woman from anywhere could join. bicycling is a rather humble way of transport is it not? as well as being environmentally friendly and healthy, we apologize however if we came of as so. how about we make Ferraris our source of transport next time? :)
@Mian: Being part of the event i can assure you it had nothing to do with any NGO of the sort and no profit was made from this activity whatsoever. It is just a small event organized by the Do good mob (a non profit organization) That does sound like a good idea why don't you elaborate it and send it over to the mob?
"in a culture that often treats them as second-class citizens" Typical generalization and exaggeration that makes me loath these women's rights activists. I cycle around in this city every now and then and as much as some men might feel weird Ive never been disrespected or anything.
P.S. havnt seen my previous post, biased much TET?
Just show off from the elite class. They have no concern what is happening with the real women of Pakistan.
Some NGO's sponsored program to get more dollars from their god America. The best way to celebrate the women day with those women who are the victims of acid burns, rape and other cruleities.
If they really want to make a point they should ride daily.
Pakistani women needs pat at their back for fighting against the cruel men.
Best for health and environment. We should promote it as much as possible.
That picture is in fact of the event in Islamabad.
@Deen Shiekh That picture is in fact of the event in Islamabad :)
Yes we did it \o/
Growing Number of Burger Families In Karachi?.
seriously!! whats wrong in driving a bike?? :O
that is Karachi in the picture, not Islamabad, and i do not see why women riding 2 wheelers is frowned upon.