Women bikers ride through khapland for girl child

CHANDIGARH: This was a rare sight in khapland, which is otherwise known for skewed sex ratio and honour killing of women for same-gotra marriages. In an effort to change Haryana's gender bias, 25 women on Sunday rode their motorcycles from Delhi to Rohtak to spread awareness about the impact of female foeticide and other acts against women.
Human rights group Breakthrough organized the unique event with the help of 'The Bikerni', an all-women motorcycle club, which aims to spearhead women empowerment.Around 75 men of 'Free Souls' group also joined them in the ride to fight gender bias.
When they reached Rohtak, more than 1,000 men and women joined them at Chhotu Ram Park to raise their voice against skewed sex ratio. During the event, Breakthrough also honoured women - who have broken gender stereotypes - including first woman Arjuna award winner for judo Poonam Chopra, wrestling champions Suman Kundu and Sakshi Malik, kabaddi players Bateri and Renu, panchayat member Mukta Vishnoi and a biker for the past 40 years, Saroj.
"Our mission aims to put the issue of missing girls in the public eye and introspect about how repeated discrimination against the girl child has led to the disappearance of women from communities," said Sonali Khan, vice-president and country director of Breakthrough.
Breakthrough had launched its beti bacho campaign in the state with a "Walkathon" from Gannuar (Sonipat) on January 31.