‘I feel powerful’: Afghan women find freedom in running
The marathons take place in safer cities, such as Bamiyan or Mazar-i-sharif
KABUL: At the crack of dawn in Kabul, dozens of girls and women bounce along a path leading up a barren, rocky mountain on the edge of the Afghan capital, relishing every step of freedom.
The all-female Free to Run group hits the city’s trails and parks several times a week, braving disapproving looks, verbal abuse and even physical violence to enjoy the rare pleasure of exercising outdoors.
“When I run, I feel free,” says Zahra, 26, whose family name, like that of other female runners interviewed by AFP, has not been used for security reasons.
“I like to run because it motivates me, it gives me a meaning for living.” But it is not easy.
Running in public is something many inultra-conservativeafghanistanconsider shameful for women, who are largely treated like second-class citizens in the patriarchal Muslim-majority society.
It is not unusual for people to stare and hurl insults, says Zahra, who began running a year ago and has already completed two marathons and a half marathon.
“I just laugh at them,” she says dismissively.
The marathons take place in safer cities, such as Bamiyan or Mazar-i-sharif.
For those in war-torn Kabul, where bombs and suicide attacks are frequent, training sessions start at DAYBREAK − Even through THE Colder months when temperatures fall below zero and the air thickens with smoke from wood and coal stoves.
Minivans, whose male drivers double as chaperones for the team, collect the girls and women from their homes and drive them to relatively safe running spots.
As the sun peeks over the mountains that surround KABUL, THE runners − wearing tracksuits and headscarves or stretchy BANDANAS over THEIR HAIR − BEGIN THEIR workout with the men in tow.
Running at their own pace, the girls and women smile and giggle even as their noses run and lungs burn from Kabul’s cold, dry and dusty air.
“I feel good when I’m running,” says Marmar, 17, who has won three races AND INISHED second TWICE In THE two years she has been competing.
“My family wants me to be a professional (runner). I am proud of myself. So is my family.” Free to Run started in 2014, the brainchild of Canadian human rights lawyer and ultrarunner Stephanie Case.
THE non-proit organisation Aims to Empower Girls AND women In Conlict zones through sports like running, hiking, skiing, cycling and kayaking.