Shaista Mahin never imagined that one day she would be able to support herself while riding a motorcycle through the congested streets of Korangi, Karachi.
She had nothing but the support of her brothers when the 38-year-old single mother of three girls left her violent marriage five years ago. They were the ones who gave her the means to live a better life and become independent.
Mahin, the youngest of eight children, was sixteen years old when her widowed mother arranged for her to marry her nephew. After the marriage, Mahin relocated to Lahore. Abuse and domestic violence started as soon as her new life started. She received no payment of any kind. “I held back my suffering from my mother and siblings for a very long time because I knew that doing so would just add to their burdens because my brothers already had their own lives and families. However, over time, beating became the standard. After a few years, I began speaking out, but nothing changed, Mahin recalls as she describes her path to self-realization.
After giving birth to her daughter, Mahin endured not only bodily suffering but also psychological and financial hardship. She visited her parents’ house a few times, but each time she was admonished to strive to be a better wife. “My Saudi Arabian sister visited Pakistan a few years ago. She stayed with me because she knew I needed her, and she planned to move back. She was the one who told my other siblings how terrible what I was going through was, claims Mahin. Her siblings advised her to obtain a separation and live independently.
In Lahore, Pakistan, where she resided with her husband, the mother of three filed for a khula. She received assistance from a neighbouring lawyer with some court proceedings. After their split, Mahin relocated to Karachi. She explains, “My sister asked me and my girls to move into a two-room apartment she had purchased in Korangi. At this point, when I find it difficult to simply manage my shopping, it is a big blessing. Mahin’s family supports her in every way they can, but she is aware of their low financial capabilities.
training and education
Mahin was married off to her cousin right after she took her matriculation examinations. She managed to complete her intermediate and BA as a private student after getting married because she kept a passion for learning. “My interest in education has been beneficial; without it, I would not have had employment following my separation. In addition to enrolling in a training programme, my sister assisted me in obtaining some freelancing work. Prior to COVID-19 and the termination of her employment, she worked as a trainer for a number of years.
Mahin learned quickly thanks to her participation in many social work initiatives, and she soon began to train others. She is fortunate to live in a pleasant neighbourhood, but there are numerous areas close by where living standards are really low. Providing assistance to children can boost their spirits and teach them how to set better goals for the future. “The major goal was to improve the lives of Chakra goth residents. There were many district-based training programmes, and 32 modules on topics like community building, networking, music, the arts, and social change were taught by four trainers.
Following COVID
Mahin and her two school-age daughters were having a good time. She even had some cash set aside to better their lives following her divorce, but when COVID-19 struck and her training programmes were shut down due to the lockdown, all of her aspirations and goals were dashed. “Projects stopped coming in, my wages returned to nothing, and I was forced to use my savings. I was unable to work during the lockdown, so I had to continually draw from my savings to pay for food and utility costs. But before long, I had nothing left. Mahin says me with her emotions welling up, “My siblings assisted me, but they also have their own families to support. She even took out loans from several family members at the time.
6 months have gone. Mahin made the decision to get a motorcycle and pick up riding. She began working for a delivery company. “After calculating certain costs, I spoke with my sister. Everyone initially tried to discourage me, but I had faith in my ability to succeed. She describes her learning process: “I joined a scooty teaching group for girls, and there is where I learnt to ride a motorbike. Until she witnessed her girls in pain, Mahin had always wanted to purchase a bike but had the confidence to do so.
Mahin had to have two extra wheels on the sides of the motorcycle to keep her balance because learning to ride a motorcycle wasn’t simple for her. She now delivers to her neighbours and adjacent locations.
The motorbike plan didn’t work out as well as I had hoped, according to Mahin. Due to my one daughter attending school and my older daughter attending college, a specified sum is required for monthly costs. She was employed as a female security guard in a building for a few months. She has lately been hired at the Hashoo Hunar Training Center after two years of struggle.
The constant fight
Mahin has never stopped striving for herself and to be a better person, even in the face of such a difficult existence. She still grins and has the same sparkle in her eyes when she goes to work every day after being diagnosed with second-stage breast cancer two months ago. “I told my new employers about my condition during the interview. I have to work to provide for my girls, so I can’t just sit home and relax. They have given me the willpower and encouragement to seek medical attention for myself,” she says without a trace of resentment. Chemotherapy can cure her disease.
Mahin never ceased making plans despite her never-ending problems. She was ready to launch “Saheli Corner” when COVID-19 struck. After a long and demanding day at home or at work, it was a place where women could gather, network, chat, read books, have tea parties, play games, and unwind. “Everything was prepared, even printed booklets, but COVID shelved it. I will relaunch it; I’m not sure when that will happen, but hopefully soon,” Mahin tells me.
Being a single mother in this nation, let alone one with daughters, is not simple. People tend to be judgmental and occasionally have unreasonable beliefs, but Mahin handles everything with her positive attitude. Even my family members have occasionally suggested that I get remarried because I have girls and they would benefit from having a father figure in their lives. But I don’t think I’m ready after enduring thirteen years of regular beatings. I can’t trust any man to be around my own daughters, the independent single mother explains.
In addition to simply riding her motorcycle to and from work, Mahin also picks up and drops off her daughters at school and college while subject to a variety of criticisms. “I have stopped noticing men slowing down and staring at me like I have a disability or while I am riding my bike. My face lights up as Mahin continues, “I used to get afraid when people honked at me or drove by me quickly, but now I can respond that way to males who try to harass me on the road or make comments.
