First Ever Girl Power Cycle Rally Despite Opposition

In a huge, historic, first women took to the streets in a cycle rally, in the conservative tribal district of Khyber in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. Prior to the rally was a training camp held in Landi Kotal Tehsil of district Khyber on December 8th and 9th.

Both the event itself and the training for the event were both organized by Landi Kotal-based social activist and journalist Jamima Afridi. Samar Khan, an international cyclist. gave a training session and said that the environment in the tribal areas was much different then what was perceived and that the tribal people are now ready to allow their girls to take part in healthy and productive activities.

Jamima also stated that the girls all received permission from their families in order to take part, with some mothers even coming along with. Despite the parental consent though, some groups have condemned the event and called it a source of obscenity. Meanwhile, Jamima stated that she had received death threats after an organized hate campaign against her by the groups parties. However she concluded her statements in saying that she is unmoved by threats and vowed to arrange more sporting events for tribal girls in the area so that they cna compete in national and international events.

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