“I am very happy as this activity has been made specifically for women and girls,” said Iman Abdullah, an IDP taking part.
A hundred women aged 16 to 25 completed the 5 kilometer race – the first event of its kind in Duhok. Organizers hope there will be many more in future.
“We hope this is not just for today and that it will become normal in future for women to ride bicycles in Duhok city,” Gulistan Celebi, an event organizer from IOM, told Rudaw.
Widespread social conservatism in Duhok means very few women take up cycling.
“I hope more activities like this take place for our Kurdish girls and refugees to overcome the shyness and fear in our society, and to get humanity and courage,” said Duhok resident Leyla Sebri.
