How Fazelat Became First Female Rickshaw Driver of Peshawar?
She is the first female rickshaw driver of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), a province believes to clinch to its patriarchal values and likes to remain restricted to its customs
PESHAWAR: With a bandana around her head and allegiance to inescapable duties, the 25-year-old Fazelat Bibi from Peshawar pulls up the start lever of her rickshaw to begin another day of hard work for her family.
Fazelat Bibi has become an epitome of strength and mettle and a breadwinner for her three children and an ailing mother.
She is the first female rickshaw driver of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), a province believed to clinch to its patriarchal values and likes to remain restricted to its customs and values.
The female driver of three-wheeler has chosen to do this job to feed her family in a dignified manner amid breaking all barriers of stigma.
It has been repeated every day for the past seven years or so, despite impediments that come from society as well as close relatives. But, all this could not wind down Fazeelat’s resolve.
While exclusively talking to News360, Fazelat recalled her terrible memories when she started. The female breadwinner had to face opposition not just from the outsiders but from close relatives too.
“My husband called me shameless and left me with three children”, she told News360.
Initially working as a beautician, Fazeela realized that she was not making enough. So, she decided to change her course and learned driving, hopped in her rickshaw driving seat, and started searching for passengers across the provincial capital.
Fazeelat although has changed her outlook, just like that of a man with a bandana around her head, despite being a bit uncomfortable in it. But, she assumes her men-inspired attire to be a shield against societal pressures, at least to some extent.
“I did not lose hope and continued my struggle”, the female driver said.
With difficulties in the early phase, driving a rickshaw has not remained an uphill task for the mother of three children anymore.
“The hardships at a young age molded me into a person who I am today”, she said.
I am satisfied with associating myself with a profession usually associated with men, Fazeela told News360, vowing to continue her struggle against all odds.
