DAMASCUS, March 8 (Xinhua) -- Around 70 women took part in a biking event held Friday in the capital Damascus to mark the International Women's Day.
Of different ages, women took part in the Yallah Let's Bike, or Come on Let's Bike, an activity held in Damascus to mark the Women's Day and give a space for Syrian women to celebrate their day.
The women rode their bicycles in the eastern part of Damascus amid an atmosphere of joy and determination.
Their message was about women empowerment and gender equality in a society where men are considered a more powerful gender.
Mariam Mardini, a university student, told Xinhua that she was riding a bicycle to tell other women that they can do the same because they are equal to men.
"On the Women's Day, I will ride my bicycle and roam Damascus to tell the Syrian women that as long as you can ride your bicycle freely, you can do anything and be proud of being a woman," she told Xinhua.
She said that during the war, the Syrian women proved that they can be helpful in the society as much as the men are, particularly as large numbers of men either left the country or joined the army.
For her part, Ayat, a school teacher, told Xinhua that women need more support.
"My message on the Women's Day is that women need more support so that we could be an active part in the society," she said.
Wissam Najjar, a 40-year-old employee, said the Syrian women must have an active part in the society.
"On the occasion of the women's day, we are riding bicycles to raise awareness about harassment. The Syrian woman must have an active role in everything," she said.
The organizer of the event, Muhammad al-Hawari, said the goal behind riding bicycles on this occasion is to deliver the message of gender equality.
