India’s journey in women empowerment: progress, yet unfinished

Women in sports are witnessing progress in India, but challenges persist on the road to gender equality, according to leading athletes speaking at a seminar in Hyderabad.

Former Olympian and table tennis champion Neha Agarwal Sharma highlighted the issue of women’s safety as a critical concern, noting that it often deters parents from allowing their daughters to participate in sports. Reflecting on her own journey, she spoke of overcoming personal obstacles, such as feeling self-conscious about wearing shorts during matches in school, to eventually representing India at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games. Sharma credited her success to her father’s progressive outlook and the support of her coach.

Another inspiring story came from Maral Yazarloo-Pattrick, an Iranian motorcyclist and fashion designer, who challenged societal norms by embarking on a solo motorbiking tour across 64 countries, even while pregnant. Despite facing obstacles in her home country, where women were prohibited from obtaining driving licenses, Maral pursued her passion fearlessly. However, she expressed concerns about safety, referencing the gangrape of a Spanish woman biker in Jharkhand earlier that year, highlighting the need for a more supportive environment for women.

Michelle Kakade, a seasoned desert marathoner, emphasized the role of mothers in promoting gender equality from a young age. Kakade, who achieved the remarkable feat of completing the 6,000-km Golden Quadrilateral run at the age of 45, believes that age should not limit women’s pursuits in sports.

The panelists collectively called for a shift in societal attitudes, advocating for broader recognition of women’s roles beyond traditional spheres such as home and family. They stressed the importance of systemic changes to achieve genuine gender parity in India.

Overall, while women in sports have made strides in India, challenges such as safety concerns and societal expectations continue to hinder progress. Empowering women to pursue their athletic aspirations requires addressing these obstacles and fostering a supportive

Women in sports are witnessing progress in India, but challenges persist on the road to gender equality, according to leading athletes speaking at a seminar in Hyderabad.

Former Olympian and table tennis champion Neha Agarwal Sharma highlighted the issue of women’s safety as a critical concern, noting that it often deters parents from allowing their daughters to participate in sports. Reflecting on her own journey, she spoke of overcoming personal obstacles, such as feeling self-conscious about wearing shorts during matches in school, to eventually representing India at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games. Sharma credited her success to her father’s progressive outlook and the support of her coach.

Another inspiring story came from Maral Yazarloo-Pattrick, an Iranian motorcyclist and fashion designer, who challenged societal norms by embarking on a solo motorbiking tour across 64 countries, even while pregnant. Despite facing obstacles in her home country, where women were prohibited from obtaining driving licenses, Maral pursued her passion fearlessly. However, she expressed concerns about safety, referencing the gangrape of a Spanish woman biker in Jharkhand earlier that year, highlighting the need for a more supportive environment for women.

Michelle Kakade, a seasoned desert marathoner, emphasized the role of mothers in promoting gender equality from a young age. Kakade, who achieved the remarkable feat of completing the 6,000-km Golden Quadrilateral run at the age of 45, believes that age should not limit women’s pursuits in sports.

The panelists collectively called for a shift in societal attitudes, advocating for broader recognition of women’s roles beyond traditional spheres such as home and family. They stressed the importance of systemic changes to achieve genuine gender parity in India.

Overall, while women in sports have made strides in India, challenges such as safety concerns and societal expectations continue to hinder progress. Empowering women to pursue their athletic aspirations requires addressing these obstacles and fostering a supportive

Women in sports are witnessing progress in India, but challenges persist on the road to gender equality, according to leading athletes speaking at a seminar in Hyderabad.

Former Olympian and table tennis champion Neha Agarwal Sharma highlighted the issue of women’s safety as a critical concern, noting that it often deters parents from allowing their daughters to participate in sports. Reflecting on her own journey, she spoke of overcoming personal obstacles, such as feeling self-conscious about wearing shorts during matches in school, to eventually representing India at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games. Sharma credited her success to her father’s progressive outlook and the support of her coach.

Another inspiring story came from Maral Yazarloo-Pattrick, an Iranian motorcyclist and fashion designer, who challenged societal norms by embarking on a solo motorbiking tour across 64 countries, even while pregnant. Despite facing obstacles in her home country, where women were prohibited from obtaining driving licenses, Maral pursued her passion fearlessly. However, she expressed concerns about safety, referencing the gangrape of a Spanish woman biker in Jharkhand earlier that year, highlighting the need for a more supportive environment for women.

Michelle Kakade, a seasoned desert marathoner, emphasized the role of mothers in promoting gender equality from a young age. Kakade, who achieved the remarkable feat of completing the 6,000-km Golden Quadrilateral run at the age of 45, believes that age should not limit women’s pursuits in sports.

The panelists collectively called for a shift in societal attitudes, advocating for broader recognition of women’s roles beyond traditional spheres such as home and family. They stressed the importance of systemic changes to achieve genuine gender parity in India.

Overall, while women in sports have made strides in India, challenges such as safety concerns and societal expectations continue to hinder progress. Empowering women to pursue their athletic aspirations requires addressing these obstacles and fostering a supportive environment that encourages participation and achievement across all level of sports.

Repurposed article originally published in TH