SWAT: Some young women from Swat have completed rigorous rock climbing, hiking and camping training, proving their capability to endure physical hardships and challenges.

The 10-day training was organised by Mountain Wilderness International. The training was imparted to local women by women mountaineers from Europe under the leadership of Prof Carlo Alberto Pinelli, who has been honoured with Sitara-i-Imtiaz by the government of Pakistan for his successful K2 cleaning expedition.

The international trainers included Susanna Gonella, Patricia Romagnolo, Francesca Emilia Giuseppina Colesanti, Maria Concep Miro Carrera, Elisa Peyrot, Chiara Delpino and Ayesha Hina. They said young local women not only completed the training but also exceeded expectations with their bravery and competence, challenging and redefining traditional perceptions of their roles in the society.

Prof Carlo, a veteran mountaineer, filmmaker and environmentalist, led the ‘Swat girls in action’ initiative in Pakistan. Mountain Wilderness International and Italian Institute for Studies on Mediterranean and Orient collaborated to provide an introductory course to mountain-related activities. This ‘revolutionary’ course was solely for girls of Swat and taught entirely by female European trainers.

Organisers intend to hold advanced level of training next year

The girls, primarily from Government Postgraduate Girls College Saidu Sharif, who participated in the training, initially felt hesitant about climbing rocks and hiking. “Though I am a sportsperson and have played volleyball for my college, I have never climbed rocks before. When we first approached the rock-climbing site, it seemed daunting, but our trainers guided us very well and we managed to climb the rocks,” said Humaira, one of the trainees.

Maria Rahim, another trainee, said the training was unlike anything she had experienced before because the team consisted of mountaineers, rock climbers, archaeologists, doctors and camping experts. “This made the training a blend of various skills. We explored several archaeological sites of Gandhara civilisation, which were entirely new to me,” she told Dawn. Maria was particularly impressed by the rich history of Swat and its grand archaeological monuments, which she visited during the training.

She said that growing up in a natural haven, she always knew she loved nature. “However, we never had the opportunity to explore it as we did during the mountaineering training. So much that was unsaid and unseen came to light, offering much to learn and appreciate. Each of the Italian trainers introduced me to new sides of myself. Now, I know not only more about my homeland but also more about myself. We are from nature; we are for nature,” she added.

Jalwa Bashir, another participant of the training, said she had always been afraid of heights, but the training pushed her beyond her limits. “The encouragement and support from our trainers and fellow trainees helped me conquer my fears. By the end of the training, I was not only climbing rocks but also helping others, who were struggling. It was an empowering experience that taught me the importance of perseverance and teamwork,” she said.

These testimonials highlight the training’s transformative impact on the participants, demonstrating their newfound courage, skills and appreciation for their cultural heritage.

They emphasised that providing opportunities and a bit of encouragement were crucial for girls to enable them to excel and even surpass men in various fields. “The main hindrances we face are lack of confidence from our parents, limited opportunities and cultural barriers, which prevent us from engaging in adventurous sports. We have so many mountains ideal for hiking, camping and rock climbing, yet women here rarely consider these activities,” said Preti Kumar, another trainee.

Prof Carlo said he intended to organise an advanced level of training next year. This training will be organised in upper Swat, at the base camp of Mankiyal Mountain.

He showed enthusiasm about the next phase, noting that the advanced training would delve deeper into mountaineering skills and offer more challenging experiences. “This will not only further the participants’ technical abilities but also deepen their connection with the majestic landscapes of Swat,” he said.

Published in Dawn, May 20th, 2024