Five out of fourteen mountains over 8000 m are in Pakistan. Nevertheless, local women in mountaineering are a rarity. In my work, I examine the lives of Pakistani women mountaineers and their view of the role of women in Pakistan. In addition to Islamabad, I visited the village of Skardu in Gilgit Baltistan, which is located at an altitude of over 2200 meters, and cooperated with a group of young women during their training as climbing coaches through the American NGO Ascend Leadership through Athletics. In addition to training, the women teach younger girls the basics of mountain sports and organize joint tours in the Karakoram.
The motivation of the women in the patriarchal environment could not be more different: from an ascent of the second highest mountain in the world, K2, planned for summer 2024, the goal of becoming a glaciologist to their own travel and trekking company, the women draw energy from their group and nature.
"I think every woman in our society has to rebel for her freedom. I mean by freedom, the freedom in which a woman has control over her life and the decisions of her life. I think our women are dominated by men. Our society and religion also give priority to men over woman in every aspect. "
-Zeba Batool, 28, first female climber from her home town of Shigar, co-owner of guide and trekking company, instructor in the Ascend Leadership through athletics program-
Solveig spent over six weeks in Pakistan with her protagonists. As well as being of a similar age, they shared an endless love of the mountains. Together they went on a multi-day tour into the Karakoram in pathless terrain. They boiled water, looked for campsites and climbed a mountain that was unknown to the group at almost 4000 meters. They also took a small prayer mat with them and cooked with fresh food, a different way to go to the mountains than in the alps or Himalaya in Nepal. Being together in a women's group brought the leaders closer together and nature set the rules.
“The mountains hold a special place in my heart, symbolizing strength, beauty, and resilience.” Kaneez Fatima, 29, from Skardu, instructor in the Ascend Leadership through athletics program
Women in mountain sports are subject to strong prejudices, especially from men in the same sport, and there is a strong devaluation. Even though some of the female protagonists are also strongly supported by fathers and brothers, they always have to fight for their role. For example, the photographer had contact with a Pakistani guide near Nanga Parbat, who claimed that only Western women could go into the mountains.
"In a male-dominated society, it's definitely a challenge to prove yourself as a female climber. (...) I think it's a fight for survival. You first have to have the courage to fight this battle yourself." Zeba Batool, 28, first female climber from her home town of Shigar, co-owner of a guiding and trekking company, instructor in the Ascend Leadership through athletics program. They are all already passing on their knowledge - in after-school programs with younger women, on hikes and in projects with Afghan women. But they are also pursuing their personal goals, such as Nadeema Sahar, who took part in an expedition to the summit of K2 in the summer. Even though she did not reach the summit, Nadeema is a role model for other women. "I have been climbing for a very long time and have stuck with it, which is why I was chosen to take part in the K2 expedition. I already have experience with expeditions. Before that, I have done a few expeditions, smaller peaks around 6000 meters." Nadeema Sahar, from Shimshal, instructor in the Ascend Leadership through athletics program.
She is still in contact with the group and plans a documentary movie together with the woman.
My name is Solveig Eichner (1998) and I grew up in the Hanover region. Photography became my great passion early on and I focused on the Lumix Festival in for years. In 2018, I started studying photojournalism and documentary photography at Hanover University of Applied Sciences and Arts.
In 2021, I moved to Munich for six months to photograph and write for four special interest magazines in the field of outdoor sports. In the summer of 2022, I went to Chur in Switzerland for a year abroad and studied documentary film at the FHGR. Since September 2023, I have been doing an internship in the photo editorial department of DER SPIEGEL in Hamburg and won third place in the BFF Sponsorship Award 2024. In photography, I am particularly interested in people and their stories. Due to my great passion for climbing and alpinism, I also enjoy exploring topics between sport and society. I'm less interested in the performance aspect and more in topics such as mental health, the role of women and the climate crisis. I have been working as a freelance photographer since 2022 and publish my stories in german and swiss magazines such as Stern, Outdoor Guide, BORN, Bergsteiger, Panorama etc. Since July 2024, I have been working as an editorial employee again as a picture editor for DER SPIEGEL.