Rain showers and cloudy skies couldn’t stop families and friends from rallying together at the Bahrain International Circuit (BIC) in a bid to help connect, inspire and empower women from across the region in a ‘car-nival’ event.
More than 2,600 people drove down to Sakhir to support and participate in the first female-only car parade organised by the Yalla Banat (‘let’s go girls’) team to put ‘Women in the Driver’s Seat’ in a fun festival-style format.
Yalla Banat’s founder and MD Martyna Al-Qassab, said: “History was made on Friday following a year of planning and the success of Yalla Banat was evident in the huge crowds showing up, despite the weather!
“The energy and atmosphere was absolutely exhilarating and the support that we received from across the business and social communities was phenomenal.
“We are proud to have Bahrain as the first country to host the largest all women car parade ever!”
The motivational motoring campaign, under the theme ‘Driving Your Destiny’, attracted 430 women drivers and passengers in 279 cars from across the kingdom, neighbouring Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and the UAE as well as from Europe and India.
Web developer Faten Amin, 33, from Budaiya, who was covering the entire event on social media and the website as part of BIC media, said: “I didn’t expect such a huge crowd and was pleasantly surprised. It’s great to see so many families here supporting one another and helping inspire women.”
As the ladies took to the track to get behind their wheels or jump on their motorcycles, supporters rushed to the sidelines clapping and cheering them on as they prepared to drive twice around the Formula One track.
Women piled into their vehicles honking their horns and revving their engines in unison while volunteers and marshals from the Bahrain Marshal Club set up around the circuit to encourage, guide and support them throughout their journey.
As the cool cruise began, some women waved the Bahraini flag out the windows and sun roofs.
Expat Lebanese motorcyclist Nadine Fawaz, 40, from Hamala, joined the Harley Davidson Bahrain Chapter in the parade. The mother-of-two said: “I’m happy to see so many women taking control of this event. It’s something different for Bahrain and I really hope we have more events like this.”
The parade was one of the many highlights of the celebrations alongside a televised round table discussion panel featuring successful women from across the GCC sharing their ‘road to success’ stories such as Michele Carlsson, the head of business development Middle East and Africa at Nasdaq, Iman Mutlaq, who recently received a coveted Forbes Award for the Most Influential Women in the Middle East, and Amna Al-Qubaisi, the first Arab woman to race in Formula Four.
Eman Mandeel, 35, the first and only female aircraft maintenance engineer in the kingdom, enjoyed the round table discussion during the panel talks. The mother-of-two, who lives in Saar, said: “It was inspirational. This event was pretty motivational and it’s great seeing Bahrain taking such strides in empowering women. It was an enjoyable day for my children too.”
Parents that weren’t busy with the panel were at the paddock playing on giant-sized board games, including snakes and ladders, with their children, while others rested on large bean bags or visited a motor-themed art gallery.
A DJ took to spinning the decks inviting people to dance and sway near the food area which boasted a variety of cuisine trucks as others roamed a pop-up market featuring several start-up companies and home-based businesses selling or promoting their goods.
Siblings Layla, a business and marketing student at Bahrain Polytechnic, Sajida, a brand manager at a cosmetics company and Redha, who works in business development, joined their mum Najris Nasabi in helping run her Nanazeba Creations stall at the market. She makes handmade jewellery, hand-painted porcelain designs and small fabric bags, as well wrap-around trousers and scarves.
Layla, from Seef, said: “My mum and I love the concept of promoting the empowerment of women and seeing them rising to the top. After organising an event like this what will women do next?”
Nine-year-old Gracie Grantham, a student at St Christopher’s School, also had her own stand to introduce her go-kart racing prowess to help inspire other youngsters to participate in the sport.
Gracie, who lives in Saar with her mum Kerry Scott, a drama teacher, and sister Elise, six, said: “This event is awesome and they should do it every year! I compete against boys in different competitions in the region. When I win, I feel happy and I feel like girls can do anything!”
Another well-supported feature of the event was a motorsport show with classic cars and hot rods, as well as sporty speedsters.
Martyna said: “The positive social impact from the event has been tremendous with people from across the region thanking our team for this initiative. People are already excited and keen to block their calendars for future Yalla Banat projects in the pipeline. Stay tuned for an announcement shortly!
“Also, the support from all our followers and corporate partners has been unbelievable. NBB’s drive to build the foundation to make Yalla Banat happen, INFINITI’s innovative approach to focus on our vision and the Royal University of Women’s passionate support to inspire new generations of achievers and innovators has been remarkable … and this is only to name a few. The BIC and Bahrain Marshal Club also did wonders in helping turn the vision into a reality that has cemented itself in the history books of success.”
For more details, visit www.yallabanat.me and on Instagram @yallabanat_bahrain
TOP car dealership Behbehani Brothers ensured GulfWeekly made a big impression at the BIC by allowing me to take to the Formula One track as part of the Yalla Banat event in a dynamic Dodge Challenger RT 5.7L.
The amazing BD18,000 mean machine can go from zero to 60mph in 5.1 seconds but I was happy to pose slowly during the parade in all its billet silver glory.
Sitting in the driver’s seat is a thrill a minute from the moment the start button is pressed and, woman, did it roar! The car thundered every time I revved it and produced endless shrieks of joy. She (I call her she) is meant for those long open tracks and highways.
I picked up the beauty from the Sitra showroom a day before the parade all shiny and clean ready to showcase its power while sporting my new PIE (Payment International Enterprise) TAM cap and shirt.
Friday couldn’t come fast enough and when it did, the hubby, Sam, and I, hopped in the Motown muscle to drive to the BIC. Of course, it began to rain bullets and my sleek, glistening ride was soon smudged and dusty by the time I got to the circuit. However, I was impressed with its braking and superb handling and lightness during the downpour.
When I joined all the women on the track I began revving in place to say: ‘Hi ladies, the Dodge Challenger is here!’
Sam snapped pictures from the sidelines and cheered me on as I started cruising around the circuit behind several other proud women drivers. Sam even prepared some driving music for me, opened up the sun roof and shouted ‘Yalla enjoy!’ Fortunately the rain had stopped.
It was wonderful seeing so many supporters cheering us on. Needless to say, this is one ride I will never forget. I wish I didn’t have to give her up … but there’s always next year!
