Dangerous practice

When men ride pillion on a motorcycle, they sit with their legs on either side of the vehicle. Women, however, sit sideways. This practice of women riding side-saddle dates back to the Victorian era. In Pakistan, women sit sideways on motorcycles with nothing to help them balance. If it wasn’t dangerous enough, many women also have to balance their babies on their lap with another child sitting in the middle. Our society’s twisted interpretation of modesty paves the way for patriarchal practices to take precedence over the importance of maintaining one’s centre of balance. Women who dare protest against these social norms risk being criticised. It is shocking that our society thinks that the prospect of being crushed by a vehicle is a sane option.

In the past, the government took steps to strengthen road safety and ensured that all motorcycle riders are wearing helmets. Now, the authorities should take the relevant steps to put an end to this hazardous practice. A woman’s life is more important than the practices adopted by a patriarchal society.

Ali Hassan Sattar

Islamabad