The Women on Wheels (WOW) programme is revolutionizing women’s mobility in Pakistan, offering a significant step toward empowerment and independence. In a society where cultural norms often restrict women’s freedom of movement, this initiative is equipping them with the skills to navigate public spaces on their own terms.
Changing Narratives: Women Behind the Handlebar
Launched in 2017, the WOW programme trains women in Lahore, Punjab, to ride motorcycles—a practice long considered taboo in Pakistan. Despite cultural resistance, the programme has gained momentum, attracting women like Laiba Rashid, a 22-year-old student eager to reduce her dependence on male relatives.
- Laiba Rashid’s Aspiration:
“I hope this will change my life because I am dependent on my brother to pick me up and drop me off at college,” she says, reflecting the sentiments of many women seeking autonomy. - Breaking Taboos:
Activist Bushra Iqbal Hussain draws parallels between women riding motorcycles today and their gradual acceptance of driving cars in the 1980s, calling it a cultural shift.
Economic Realities Fuel the Shift
With Pakistan’s stagnant wages and rising inflation, motorcycles offer a more affordable alternative to cars.
- Cost Comparison:
- A motorcycle costs about Rs115,000, compared to Rs2.3 million for the cheapest car.
- Pakistan’s annual GDP per capita stands at $1,590, making motorcycles the only viable vehicle for many households.
- Programme Impact:
- Over 6,600 women have been trained, with Rashid’s batch being the 86th since the initiative’s inception.
- Participants range from young students to working mothers and professionals, reflecting the programme’s wide-reaching appeal.
Stories of Empowerment
- Ghania Raza (23) – A criminology doctoral student describes the experience as “breaking a glass ceiling,” gaining a profound sense of achievement.
- Shumaila Shafiq (36) – A mother of three and part-time fashion designer now confidently drives her husband’s motorcycle to markets and errands. She has even designed a short-length abaya for safer riding, with plans to market it to other female riders.
The Road Ahead: Expanding Horizons
The WOW programme continues to challenge societal norms, providing women with a tangible tool for independence while reshaping public perceptions of their role in society.
- Social Shift:
The growing number of women riders is fostering discussions on gender roles and challenging traditional expectations in public spaces. - Economic Opportunities:
Participants not only gain mobility but also open doors to employment and entrepreneurial ventures, such as Shafiq’s innovative abaya design. - Cultural Acceptance:
As more women take to the streets on two wheels, resistance is gradually giving way to admiration for their courage and determination.
The Women on Wheels programme isn’t just teaching women to ride; it’s helping them rewrite societal norms and take control of their destinies.
