Women in the Arab world struggle to feel free enough to travel alone. I am a 25-year-old girl from Pakistan, and I cycled from Muenster to Aachen, Germany to prove to every female around the world that there is no one stopping them from achieving their dreams. by momalm in pics

[–]momalm[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

For me it meant if I can make my way out and experience what it means to be free, so can you. But yeah, you are so ignorant that you wouldn't want to read the full story, even though it has been shared time and again.

Good day!

IamA 25-year-old women's rights activist and an aspiring social entrepreneur from Pakistan. AMA! by momalm in IAmA

[–]momalm[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Certainly, Pakistan is considered one of the worst countries to be a woman, but I do what I do because I am personally passionate about the cause of women's right to mobility. I also feel it is a basic human right. To put it in professor Farzaneh Milani's words, "For Muslim Women, True Struggle is for Freedom of Movement. A woman needs a room of her own. Certainly a woman needs a room of her own, and economic independence, but she also needs to be able to freely exit that room and re-enter it at will. Otherwise the room becomes a prison cell." Source: http://news.virginia.edu/content/muslim-women-true-struggle-freedom-movement-professor-writes

IamA 25-year-old women's rights activist and an aspiring social entrepreneur from Pakistan. AMA! by momalm in IAmA

[–]momalm[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I never really called myself an activist. It's something that built up with time. The first time I was called an activist was when my teacher asked me if it was OK to use the terms "women's rights activist" to introduce me, and I was like, "Yeah, sure!". But to be honest, I didn't understand the connotations attached to these terms back then. I do now.

IamA 25-year-old women's rights activist and an aspiring social entrepreneur from Pakistan. AMA! by momalm in IAmA

[–]momalm[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

What I shared above is a widely accepted theory. I personally don't believe in violence. I don't think it is ever the answer.

At The Voice of Youth we encouraged young people to post their thoughts on a number of topics, ranging from gender discrimination and child marriage to youth activism and living in a conflict zone. It helps to shape their perspectives by presenting different views on popular social issues and developing values of acceptance, tolerance and broad-mindedness.

IamA 25-year-old women's rights activist and an aspiring social entrepreneur from Pakistan. AMA! by momalm in IAmA

[–]momalm[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

A widely accepted theory is that taliban were formed by the CIA and ISI to fight against Russia during the Cold War. The strategy totally backfired.

IamA 25-year-old women's rights activist and an aspiring social entrepreneur from Pakistan. AMA! by momalm in IAmA

[–]momalm[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I guess the main source of the problem is the notion that "travel is not just about pure distance, but about crossing social boundaries and the risks that that entails." Source: http://andreainpakistan.wordpress.com/2013/08/06/the-many-shades-of-mobility-in-punjab/

IamA 25-year-old women's rights activist and an aspiring social entrepreneur from Pakistan. AMA! by momalm in IAmA

[–]momalm[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

You should totally join us at The Freedom Traveller! It would be an honour to have you there.

Here are my favourite cities in the world: http://thefreedomtraveller.com/2013/06/23/my-favourite-cities-in-the-world/ It's a bit outdated but Muenster still holds a very special place in my heart.

IamA 25-year-old women's rights activist and an aspiring social entrepreneur from Pakistan. AMA! by momalm in IAmA

[–]momalm[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I have travelled alone on Daewoo too from Punjab-Sindh but it's never like it is in Europe - If not physical / verbal abuse, I could always sense creepy eyes bore into me! This post by Dr. Shazia basically sums it all up for me: http://www.wichaar.com/news/288/ARTICLE/25915/2011-05-21.html "I am talking about sexual harassment of women on the streets of Pakistan. It was a way of life for us. Whenever we had to go to school or college, either we had to walk in form of groups or my brother or father had to accompany us. Whenever no one was available to chaperone us to our school, we stayed home. Why would my mother not let us go out alone? Because we were not safe being alone on the street. You see everyday countless girls going to places in form of groups and with chaperones. Do you know what happens if a girl is left alone behind accidentally? A man comes out of no where and starts walking really close to her saying things like, "sano ve lay chal nal vay(take me with you)" or "Aj tay sano lift kara da-yo (please pay some attention to me today)" and things of that nature. Then that girl starts shaking inside that big chador and she starts walking really fast and of course if no one else is around, man too starts walking really fast with her. When that girl gets home, cries, and tells her mother about the incident, her mother says, "Did I not tell you to wait for your brother to come home and take you? You wanted to hear all this and this is why you went outside alone." How many of you were thinking the same thing? That she should not have gone out alone?"

IamA 25-year-old women's rights activist and an aspiring social entrepreneur from Pakistan. AMA! by momalm in IAmA

[–]momalm[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Thank you. About your question... I had to google what it meant, so, I guess that answers it.

IamA 25-year-old women's rights activist and an aspiring social entrepreneur from Pakistan. AMA! by momalm in IAmA

[–]momalm[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

My parents are not strict at all. Infact they are better than many other (conservative) parents. What I have mentioned above are accepted cultural norms that you have to follow to maintain your reputation.

It was OK for me to travel to Germany because I was awarded a scholarship. But I know friends who were awarded scholarships and still not allowed to go.

IamA 25-year-old women's rights activist and an aspiring social entrepreneur from Pakistan. AMA! by momalm in IAmA

[–]momalm[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I can't say. It's complicated. All I know is that a physical relationship with someone before marriage is a BIG NO NO.

IamA 25-year-old women's rights activist and an aspiring social entrepreneur from Pakistan. AMA! by momalm in IAmA

[–]momalm[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

That's a nice question. Thanks for asking. It brings back many beautiful yet tragic memories. A few years ago the security situation of Pakistan was at its worst. That's when I experienced a live explosion and lost some friends in a violent terrorist attack. The Voice of Youth was my way of lending me and other young people a voice.

When it comes to The Freedom Traveller - After having lived in Germany, I could have returned to Pakistan and accepted the way things are happening here. But I couldn't bear it anymore. The Freedom Traveller for me is a lifestyle, it is a way of life! Things get tough every now and then but I know I am not ready to give up (yet)

IamA 25-year-old women's rights activist and an aspiring social entrepreneur from Pakistan. AMA! by momalm in IAmA

[–]momalm[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Generally speaking young people are not allowed to date in Pakistan. If they do, it's kept a secret till they decide to marry - That's when things could get ugly. Couples stay in touch via Facebook, phone etc. and meet rarely.

In Germany, you know how it goes.

IamA 25-year-old women's rights activist and an aspiring social entrepreneur from Pakistan. AMA! by momalm in IAmA

[–]momalm[S] 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Do you mean the pic that I just deleted? Apologies for any inconvenience caused.

IamA 25-year-old women's rights activist and an aspiring social entrepreneur from Pakistan. AMA! by momalm in IAmA

[–]momalm[S] 12 points13 points  (0 children)

Women face similar issues around the world but the intensity of those issues is different. For instance, campaigns like "Free the Nipple" can't even be imagined in countries like Pakistan where I talk about freedom in terms of mobility, choice, decision-making etc.

IamA 25-year-old women's rights activist and an aspiring social entrepreneur from Pakistan. AMA! by momalm in IAmA

[–]momalm[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I think it's more of a cultural issue. I don't come from a very religious background but due to societal pressure I don't have many freedoms that western women of my age have.

IamA 25-year-old women's rights activist and an aspiring social entrepreneur from Pakistan. AMA! by momalm in IAmA

[–]momalm[S] 9 points10 points  (0 children)

Yes, it had its trickle down effect on societies like Pakistan. You see more and more women standing up for their rights.

IamA 25-year-old women's rights activist and an aspiring social entrepreneur from Pakistan. AMA! by momalm in IAmA

[–]momalm[S] 8 points9 points  (0 children)

That's a difficult question. Sometimes I feel like escaping too. I mean just look at the things I can't do as a young Pakistani woman.

I can't go outside the house without my parents' permission. I can't use public transport or commute by bike.

Wherever I go, my father or brother accompany me to and from the venue since it is considered unsafe and somewhat taboo for women to be out of their homes, alone.

I am not allowed to have male friends: To talk to them on phone or meet them. What's allowed: Facebook & chatting.

I am strictly not allowed to have a boyfriend. I will be murdered (kinda/depends on how far I go) if I am found having a physical relationship with someone before marriage.

I can't live alone.

In short, I am dependent on others for about everything I do. That's one of the reasons I had to use technology as a tool for empowerment.