“ISSUES FACED BY FEMALE DRIVERS IN PAKISTAN”

Pakistan is a male dominant country, no matter how much we see women taking stand for themselves and are liberal, the reality often hits us hard when we see how much an independent woman go through and how much problems do they have to face when they start to drive.
So if you’re a female driver you’ll also listen to harsh comments and being harassed by even teenage boys and other males out there like “OYE BACHI KO CHECK KR BARRI HOGAYI HAI”
“OYE ABBA KI GAARI CHALANA SEEKHI HAI NAYI NAYI” are like very common comments that everyone has experienced probably being a female driver even I did because such gender inequality is a major issue in our culture as the majority of our boys and girls grow up partitioned by a social wall. So, that’s why they are not able to give respect to one another while interaction and all this leads to making many stereotypes in our society one of which is that female drivers don’t feel safe while driving. Also, you’ll meet with the “Road Romeos” too on your way that will not let you drive easily and thinking that they own the road they’ll start making moves on you while driving or start to follow you or bring their bikes or cars to close to you only to confuse you and this can also cause serious harm or can lead to accidents. But they still don’t give a damn. Various studies based on safety of roads have shown that women fall victim to road accidents when they hastily attempt to get away from other vehicles following harassment, objectification, and aggression.

I know how it feels if you being a female driver has taken one wrong turn and all of the people around you will start seeing you in such a way like you’re an alien or start saying things like “JAB CHALANI NAHI ATI TO SARKON PE PATA NAHI Q NIKALTI HAIN?” without even noticing that there is huge “L” written on the car that indicates she’s a learner and there is a space for mistakes or as if only female drivers make mistakes and there isn’t any male driver in the world who has made a mistake while driving. A MISTAKE? Oh they actually drive like they own the road that’s why pass comments like these.
This whole thing does not only ends here, even your mechanic will trick you thinking you are an inexperienced driver and will ask more money from you for just tightening some nuts.
You may be wondering “Why men behave in such manner?” even I also thought about it but didn’t find any suitable answer. But I have found two kinds of men on the road. On type is that who respects women drivers on the road and finds it no big deal and accepts the fact that every human and beginner make mistakes and they learn from these blunders. I have special respect for these kinds of men and appreciate those men drivers who always give female drivers a way to pass first or are always there for help if they found any female driver in trouble. Eve I’ve viewed many videos where men stop or catch harassers which obviously reflects a positive side and I can’t deny it. But I have found this type to be rare. Even I’ve found those people who give you stares also sometimes are the ones who come to help you in any tough situation.
The other type is that who have fixed this thought in mind that women can’t drive and is only meant for men.
Well, a study shows that female drivers are more civilized than the male ones and are more alert and cautious too.

I don’t know why people involve gender in almost everything they do. I believe that any gender can excel in any skill. A man can be a great cook and a female can be a superb driver too. A man can be good at washing the dishes well and a woman can be good at washing the car. So, we cannot figure out the driving skills based upon the gender. It can be anyone who’s able to drive with responsibility and also it’s not always the female who is responsible for any kind of accident on the road or wrong move while driving.

There are many examples of female drivers who are stepping out of their comfort zone.

Shamim Akhtar who’s Pakistan’s very first female truck driver has broken all the stereotypes.
The 53-year-old Shamim Akhtar said that :
“Nothing is too difficult if you have the will, however if women make themselves believe that they can’t do certain tasks then nothing works for them.”
She stepped out of Pakistan’s traditional domestic rule likes “WOMEN ARE MADE TO BE IN HOUSES NOT ON ROADS” or “THEY SHOULD TAKE CARE OF HER KIDS AT HOME ONLY” when she found her family going through financial troubles. Therefore, in order to support two children at home and to cover the cost of her three eldest daughters’ weddings, Shamim set off to take driving lessons for heavy vehicles.
She was also issued a public service license, a first for a Pakistani Women allowing her to put trailers and drive trucks and tractors.
Pakistan has now female bike captains and uber drivers too as a part of their women empowerment scheme. Riffat Shehraz shines as one of the first few who have taken on this task in Lahore. These women stand as symbols to the world that women are capable of doing anything they put their mind to. And there are many other examples of such kind of females too.

We say that Pakistan is an independent state where women get the liberty, but I’m really sorry to say I don’t feel the liberty in this country and especially when it comes to driving in Pakistan, it’s a male dominant field where women drivers are not treated properly like the way they should be. It’s high time that men should realize this that women drivers must be given the same respect that anybody on the road is given.
Well, I have experienced all this myself. So, I have expressed my point of view regarding female driving in Pakistan. Being a female driver you go through a lot. But I also believe that these challenges and problems that are faced by female drivers in our society do not only make strong but give them the strength and courage to move forward in a male dominated country like Pakistan. My father unlike other male taught me how to drive and he is proud of it. The first ever rule he taught me was to slow down the car when you see any female or any old person crossing the road and give them the way to cross no matter if you are in a hurry.

Also Keep in mind that before starting your journey, firstly you should get your driving permit no matter who you are, a man or woman and don’t forget to wear a seatbelt whenever you are about to drive and always drive with a peaceful mind and follow all the rules and regulations as a part of a good citizen.