NGO holds bikeathon in Karachi to raise awareness about women's harassment

KARACHI: In a bid to raise awareness about street harassment faced by women in Pakistan, a non-governmental organisation (NGO) held a bikeathon in Karachi on Sunday. 

At least 120 cyclists, both men and women, participated in the event.

Bikeathon, an event in which participants cycle a long distance, was organised by Karachi-based NGO Aahung, working on promoting women's rights and health.

Multiple biking groups cycled from Hotel Metropole (Shahra-e-Faisal), following the designated route, to Bagh Ibn-e-Qasim (Seaview) to raise awareness for the prevention of street harassment faced by women and girls.

The event was held with the slogan "Exercising her right to public spaces". It was participated by people of all ages from 10 to 60. They were happy about their participation in the rally and expressed their desire to play their role in bringing about change in society.

A female participant who’s also a student of Food Science and Technology, Uroosa said sometimes when they cycled on the roads and were left behind, they feared that someone might pass a comment on them as harassment cases are on the rise in the metropolis.

Another participant said she started cycling a few months ago and it was the first time she participated in a bikeathon.

The participants were asked to gather at Metropole at 7:45am and bikeathon began around 8:30am. The groups then gathered at the endpoint, Bagh Ibn-e-Qasim.

Bikeathon rally organiser, Aahung Communications Manager Aamna Altaf said the incidents of women’s harassment were multiplying in the country for which suitable action was required. The cycle rally played a key role in drawing attention towards this important issue, she said.