Spectrum: In many Muslim countries such as Afghanistan, women are forbidden to ride bicycles and drive cars. If someone violates this, they are on the verge of committing a so-called moral crime, which carries a prison sentence of several years. The American Shannon Galpin therefore founded the organization Mountain 2006 Mountain in 2 and has always been sawing the throne of the patriarchate.
Shannon Galpin has always been an avid cyclist, always driven by her social conscience. After a few years of social commitment in Afghanistan and other crisis regions, in 2009 she was the first woman to ride a mountain bike through Afghanistan. It wasn't just about the sport itself - she also wanted to set an example against the oppression of women in the region. Since then a lot has happened.
Shannon firmly believes in the power that cycling brings to women of oppression. Not only as a symbol, as a statement of the desire for equality, but also in a very practical sense. In countless regions around the world, girls and women cannot attend educational institutions because the distance is too far or too dangerous for women. This is just one of countless examples where a bicycle can become the proverbial engine of emancipation.
In her native Colorado, Shannon collects bikes and bike parts throughout the year to take back to Afghanistan to encourage girls and women there to break free from the grip of patriarchy. This is easier said than done: women riding bicycles are often threatened, insulted and spat on on the street. It takes absolute determination and courage to rebel against these existing social structures.
The fact that a delicate flower of emancipation has blossomed since her first commitment in this direction in Afghanistan is shown not least by the founding of the women's national cycling team, with which Shannon has been working closely ever since. With the help of donations and sponsors from all over the world, she ensures that the women do not have to worry about their equipment, at least.
After the Afghan women's national team has already been able to take part in a few international tournaments, the women's big goal is the Olympics. This would certainly be a powerful sign for oppressed women around the world.
If you want to find out more about Shannon's organization Mountain 2 Mountain, you can do so on the official website www.mountain2mountain.org or watch the following short TED Talk from 2013: