A 53-year-old woman breaks all stereotypes to become Pakistan's first female truck driver.
Shamim Akhtar, a 53-year-old housewife, defied the South Asian tradition requiring women to stay home and take care of their husbands and families and instead has become the first female truck driver in Pakistan.
Photo Credit: Radio Free Europe Radio Liberty
“Nothing is too difficult if you have the will," says Akhtar, who's from Rawalpindi in Pakistan. "However, if women make themselves believe that they can’t do certain tasks then nothing works for them.”
An inspiration for many, she was issued a public service vehicle license — a first for a Pakistani woman — allowing her to pull trailers and drive trucks and tractors.
“Whatever I am today, it is because of the Islamabad Traffic Police training course,” Akhtar said humbly.
Photo Credit: Radio Free Europe Radio Liberty
What inspired Akhtar to take this bold, brave step outside of cultural norms? It was the financial hardship that her family was facing which pushed the mother of five to find a way to support her family. In order to support two children at home and to cover the cost of her three eldest daughters’ weddings, Akhtar set off to take driving lessons for heavy vehicles.
Photo Credit: Radio Free Europe Radio Liberty
“My son tells me not to drive too far, it’s dangerous but I told him that we have to earn a living. We only eat when we earn,” Akhtar said as she prepared herself to transport a load of 7,000 bricks from a factory in Rawalpindi to Azad Jammu and Kashmir, a gruelling 200-kilometre trip.
While Akhtar has taken a step in the right direction, toward the visbility and bravery of women in a largely patriarchal culture and society, she still faces a lot of discrimination. Despite her driving examinations and certifications, finding a job is tough for women.
However, despite the odds, Akhtar's spirits remain high: “Women, try to do something all the time, don’t make yourselves lazy or believe that you are weak and can’t achieve such milestones. We can do everything. We are capable enough, by the grace of God.”
Featured Image Photo Credit: Radio Free Europe Radio Liberty
Daniel Pillai
Author
Daniel is the Digital Media Manager for ANOKHI MEDIA and the host for ANOKHI's entertainment channel, PULSE TV. As part of the dream team, Daniel manages all multiple channels under ANOKHI’s portfolio, while also training new on-air talent, and showing budding p...
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