User:Frozan.rasooli243
Biography
[edit]Frozan Rasooli | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | 12 July 1993 |
| Notable works | documentary Afghan Cycles (2018) |
Frozan Rasooli (born July 12, 1993) is an Afghan cyclist known for her advocacy for women's rights and cycling in Afghanistan. She grew up in Kabul, where cycling for women was considered an inappropriate activity due to cultural and political restrictions. Despite these challenges, she began cycling at a young age and became one of Afghanistan’s first female competitive cyclists. Rasooli completed her high school education in 2013 and graduated from the Physical Education Institute in 2015.
Her journey was brought to international attention through the 2018 documentary Afghan Cycles, which highlights the struggles of female cyclists in Afghanistan. The film not only focuses on Rasooli's achievements but also addresses the broader social and political barriers women face, such as harassment and the threat of violence. Through this documentary, Rasooli’s efforts gained widespread recognition globally.
After overcoming societal restrictions in Afghanistan, Rasooli moved to France, where she continues her cycling career and advocates for women's rights worldwide. She is currently a member of the UCI Refugee Cycling Team, which supports refugee cyclists globally, offering them a platform to compete and gain recognition in the international sports community.
Career
[edit]Rasooli began cycling at an early age, driven by the desire to break free from societal gender norms. She joined the Afghan National Cycling Team, where she trained and competed despite facing numerous challenges, including harassment and discrimination. Her involvement in the Afghan team was groundbreaking, as female cyclists in Afghanistan faced severe social pressure.
Rasooli gained international recognition when she appeared in Afghan Cycles (2018), a documentary by Sarah Menzies that documents the lives of women cyclists in Afghanistan. The documentary was featured in multiple prestigious film festivals, including the Human Rights Watch Film Festival in Amsterdam, the Brooklyn Film Festival in the USA, and the Mountainfilm Festival. This film received significant attention for its portrayal of the hardships faced by female athletes in Afghanistan.
Currently, Rasooli is a member of the UCI Refugee Cycling Team, a team dedicated to providing a platform for refugee athletes to compete in the sport of cycling. Through this team, she continues to advocate for inclusivity and support for athletes without official national affiliations.
Achievements
[edit]- Cycling Career: Rasooli is known for being one of the first Afghan women to compete in international cycling events, breaking barriers in a country where women's participation in cycling was not widely accepted.
- Documentary Feature: She was featured in the documentary Afghan Cycles (2018), which highlights her journey and the challenges of Afghan women cyclists. The documentary was screened at various international film festivals, including:
- Human Rights Watch Film Festival in Amsterdam
- Brooklyn Film Festival in the USA
- Mountainfilm Festival
- Advocacy for Women’s Rights: Through her participation in cycling, Rasooli became an advocate for women’s rights and gender equality in Afghanistan, inspiring many women around the world to pursue sports despite societal restrictions.
- Participations:
- UCI Gran Fondo World Championships 2023
- Women’s Road Championships of Afghanistan 2022
- Current Member of the UCI Refugee Cycling Team
Recognition and Impact
[edit]Rasooli’s story has been featured in numerous international media outlets, and she is widely recognized as a champion for women’s empowerment through sports. Her participation in cycling challenged the traditional gender norms of Afghan society and inspired other women to pursue their dreams in sports.
Films and Media Appearances
- Afghan Cycles (2018): Rasooli was a central figure in this documentary, which explores the lives and struggles of female cyclists in Afghanistan. The film garnered widespread attention and was showcased at international film festivals, including the Human Rights Watch Film Festival in Amsterdam, the Brooklyn Film Festival in the USA, and the Mountainfilm Festival.
[1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] [9] [10]
References
- ^ "Afghan Cycles (2018)".
- ^ "Documentary Afghan Cycles at the Human Rights Watch Film Festival".
- ^ "Afghan Cycles screening at the Brooklyn Film Festival 2018".
- ^ "Afghan Cycles at the Mountainfilm Festival".
- ^ "Boundary Breakers Afghan Women's Cycling Team".
- ^ "UCI Cycling World Championships: UCI World Cycling Centre support for Refugee Cycling Team".
- ^ "AFGHANISTAN CYCLING Team".
- ^ "Women Cyclists Push Limits in Afghan Society".
- ^ "Israeli NGO, Businessmen Helped Dozens of Afghan Women Escape Taliban Rule".
- ^ "On the road with Afghanistan's Women's National Cycling Team".