ISLAMABAD: The third annual bike rally by Girls at Dhaba took place on Sunday in the major cities of Pakistan.
The purpose of this rally is to reclaim a woman’s right over public spaces and aims at challenging the prevalent mindset that it is unsuitable for a woman to move around freely in a public space.
The first such rally was held in 2016 in solidarity with a cyclist in Lahore, Aneeqa Ali, who was harassed and injured for riding her bike. The rally went well which gave rise to more such chapters in Lahore, Karachi and Islamabad simultaneously.
The rally in Islamabad consisted of about 30 or 40 women of all age groups, nationalities and with varying cycling skills.
This event was discussed widely on the social media.
Actor and singer Meesha Shafi said on Twitter, “Supremely liberating experience to bike on the Main Boulevard, MM Alam Road and Liberty Market today with an army of #girlsonbikes #reclaimpublicspaces kudos to @girlsatdhabas for the third annual rally!”
Supremely liberating experience to bike on the mainblvd/MMAlamRd/LibertyMkt today with an army of #girlsonbikes ??♀️??♀️??♀️ #reclaimpublicspaces kudos to @girlsatdhabas for the 3rd annual rally! #LHR https://t.co/WoYAh29VMo
— Meesha Shafi (@itsmeeshashafi) April 1, 2018
A Twitter user Faisal Mir tweeted, “Girls reclaimed the streets of Lahore today.”Girls on Bike rally” organised by “Girls at Dhaba”.Ghooro Mut””Rasta Do, Aurat Raj Aa Raha Hay” placards displayed by bikers.”
Girls reclaimed the streets of Lahore today.”Girls on Bike rally” organised by “Girls at Dhaba”.Ghooro Mut””Rasta Do, Aurat Raj Aa Raha Hay” playcards displayed by bikers @BBhuttoZardari @BakhtawarBZ @AseefaBZ @Majid_Agha @ChacharFayaz @RabNBaloch @shahzadShafi007 @SoomroJameel pic.twitter.com/02xS7dgOPi
— Faisal Mir (@faisalmirppp) April 1, 2018
A user tweeted, “I went to the #GirlsOnBikes rally today organised by @girlsatdhabas. Words cannot begin to explain how I feel. All I will say is that the sisterhood is strong and may we prosper!”
I went to the #GirlsOnBikes rally today organised by @girlsatdhabas. Words cannot begin to explain how I feel. All I will say is that the sisterhood is strong and may we prosper! ? pic.twitter.com/4m25jyWRkY
— disco spider (@Rameezay) April 1, 2018
A twitter user Zubeda Mir tweeted, “#GirlsOnBikes rally taking place in Islamabad, Pakistan. Participants want to reclaim public spaces for themselves.
The 1st sign reads:
“Ride your bike and put pressure on patriarchy.”
The 2nd sign reads:
“Our roads, our city.””
#GirlsOnBikes rally taking place in Islamabad, Pakistan. Participants want to reclaim public spaces for themselves.
1st sign reads:
“Ride your bike and put pressure on patriarchy.”2nd sign reads:
“Our roads, our city.” pic.twitter.com/7jTaAUYDnL— Zubeda Mir (@ZubedaMir) April 1, 2018
