“I believe that I am no more an ordinary girl who is just restricted to the household chores, in fact I feel empowered like any other person in the society who can achieve anything irrespective of the gender discrimination. ”
Sadia, Grade 9, Chakwal District, Pakistan
Assalam u Alaikum! My name is Sadia and I am 14 years old. I belong to Sadiqabad, a remote area of Tehsil Telangang, District Chakwal.
I am the elder sister of my brothers. But I often feel that they are much older than me. The reason is that I can only imagine the freedom they have. Playing freely outside the house in the evening, going to school on a bicycle, meeting with their friends and walking out is a daily matter for my brothers. But all these opportunities were probably for my brothers because being a girl in our village means cooking, feeding the animals and other household chores are for me and for the girls. Parents keep on transferring their beliefs to girls about their role after marriage, which is managing household chores and we have nothing to do with games and higher education, this is for boys only.
The same thing was going to happen to me when I passed 8th grade. My father said, “I can’t manage your study further. My source of income is very limited, which barely covers our household expenses.” I was very disappointed to hear what my father said. I also hoped that one way or other would come out of Allah to help me.
During this time my brothers used to go to school on their bicycles because the biggest obstacle to continuing education was financial problems to cover my traveling expenses. Sometimes I thought that if I had a bicycle I could go to school. Keeping this in view, Bedari, provided the travelling support to me in terms of bearing travelling expenses, and enabled me to continue my education. I am currently enrolled in Grade 9.
To fulfill this wish, when my father and brothers were not at home, I used to ride their bicycles. In the beginning, I found it difficult and many times I fell off and got injured, but I continued this practice.
One day when my father and brothers went to a wedding in a neighboring village, a team from the health department vaccinated the children in our village. My mother was very ill that day. My 4-year old youngest brother had to be vaccinated. In this disturbing situation, I put my brother on a bicycle without any hesitation and took him with me for vaccination.
Many times now I use my brother's bicycle for household chores, such as bringing things from the market for the house or giving a ride to my younger brother to study in the mosque. But I perform all these tasks in the absence of my brothers. Because they wouldn't let me use their bicycle if they were at home.
Now after observing my dedication towards doing outdoor household chores by using bicycle, my family has somehow accepted that girls can also ride the bicycle and can do all the activities that boys can do. Moreover, my bold step has ultimately broken the society’s social barriers and as a result, now I am also facilitating other girls of the village to ride bicycle.
I believe that I am no more an ordinary girl who is just restricted to the household chores, in fact I feel empowered like any other person in the society who can achieve anything irrespective of the gender discrimination.
Thank you!
Sadia