A woman from South Kashmir’s Pulwama district has become the first female truck driver of Kashmir, thus rejecting the stereotypes in conventional culture subjugated by men.
Rabiya Yaseen, a resident of the Wakharwan area of the Pulwama district has broken the stereotypes as truck driving in the region has been the job of male folk only.
37-year old Rabiya is married to Mohammad Imtiyaz. She says that she started learning and driving light motor vehicles a few years ago and later drove heavy motor vehicles.
After getting a valid driving license, she started driving her own vehicle covering long distances pan-India.
The family members of Rabia said that she had a passion for driving vehicles from the very beginning and they have unconditionally supported her.
“For a long span of time, she has been earning her livelihood through truck driving”, they said.
Rabiya’s mother-in-law, Shehnaza Begum, said that when they found out that she was interested in driving, she was supported by all her family members and husband. “Rabiya is driving her truck to every corner of India and with the support of the family.”
Manouvering through the struggles of fitting in this profession that is male dominated in the region, Rabiya never got deterred by the stereotyping.
“It was a tough job to accomplish, but we all backed her to overcome the obstacles”, Shehnaza shared.
For the past three years, Rabiya has been traveling across India, defying traditional gender norms with every mile she covers. Her journey showcases the immense potential women have when provided with the right support and opportunities, serving as an inspiration for many in Kashmir and beyond.
Shehnaza said that women have been showcasing their talent in every field and with each passing day, women in Kashmir have been diversifying their fields.
