Many Afghan Girls Are Not Allowed To Ride Bicycles

Skateistan, an innovative NGO in Kabul founded to empower Afghan children (and especially young girls), teaches children to skateboard as a gateway to get them more involved in education. In many Afghan communities, it is customary to forbid women from riding bicycles. Skateboarding, then, becomes an empowering activity that gives these girls a source of physical exercise, empowerment, and some plain and simple fun.

Afghan-Skateboard-girl

Afghan-Skateboard-girl

Over 50% of their students are streetworking children and over 40% of them are girls

Afghan-Skateboard-girl

Skateboarding gives them a fun activity that empowers them and serves as a gateway to other engagements, like education

Afghan-Skateboard-girl

Jessica Fulford-Dobson’s photos capture the joy these girls feel while skateboarding…

Afghan-Skateboard-girl

…and their new-found sense of empowerment

Afghan-Skateboard-girl

Skateistan was founded in 2007 by Australian skateboarder Oliver Percovich

Afghan-Skateboard-girl

Since then, it has spread to Cambodia and South Africa as well

Afghan-Skateboard-girl

On September 8th, 2012, 4 members of Skateistan were killed in a suicide bombing at a NATO facility in Kabul

Afghan-Skateboard-girl

But even such tragedies haven’t stopped these children from enjoying the playtime that they deserve

Afghan-Skateboard-girl

Afghan-Skateboard-girl

Afghan-Skateboard-girl

Afghan-Skateboard-girl

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *