KARACHI: Women’s power is indeed gathering strength at the grass-roots level. This was very much evident at the ‘Aao cycle chalaaen’ (Let’s go cycling) event organised at a Seaview park on Friday where hundreds of girls were in attendance along with their female family members to celebrate ‘International Day of the Girl’.

The majority had come from Lyari — once a violence-hit area — not just to have some fun together but to send a strong message to their counterparts across the city that women must not sit back, overcome their barriers and empower themselves.

“Why can’t girls ride a bicycle or even a motorbike in our city? I think today’s event would encourage and motivate other girls to engage in healthy activities like using bicycles for transport,” said Zulekhan Dawood, a young activist representing the Lyari’s Girls Café (LGC), adding that it would also help reduce pollution in the city.

The non-profit organisation was set up three years ago with an aim to provide a forum to young girls and women to learn vocational skills, educate, socialise and brainstorm ideas.

It also offers training for sports like boxing and football — games which girls are generally not allowed to play in society.

“We started our journey with five to six girls and faced a lot of resistance. But, it didn’t dampen our spirits. We used to counsel families whenever a member decided to leave and try to address their concerns,” explained Dawood.

The LGC cycling programme, which took off with six members on rented bicycles, now has registration of more than 100 participants and the issue of getting vehicles was to an extent helped by the German consulate.

Girl Force: unscripted and unstoppable

Conversation with a few participants revealed that healthy activities were positively influencing girls’ thinking process and helping them dream big.

“I love to play football and boxing and dream of becoming a pilot one day,” said 12-year-old Sabah Aji Bachal.

Najmunisa, a 16-year-old science student, said that participation in the LGC events made her proud of herself. “Often girls are discouraged to do things independently. I am fortunate that my mother supports in all educational and vocational endeavours.”

Fourteen-year-old Iqra expressed her desire to join the army. Habiba Allahbad in her 40s was there with her two young daughters; all participating in the cycle race. “In our area, women lack the freedom they deserve as a human being. I joined the LGC because it provided me with the much-needed space I always wanted in life; learning new skills and becoming empowered,” she said.

Asked about how people in her locality reacted to this change, she said: “I routinely use the bicycle for transport in my neighbourhood. The forum gave me the confidence that now I just ignore what others say.”

Among the guests was Mark Rakestraw, the Deputy Head of Mission at British Deputy High Commission, who congratulated the organisers and hoped that such activities would help end gender discrimination, open up more avenues for girls to utilise their potential and become a productive member of society.

Maren Dick representing the Consulate of Germany expressed similar sentiments. The event concluded with a cultural show.

Published in Dawn, October 12th, 2019