Two young women are proudly tightening their skateboard in their arms. An image that in many countries would go unnoticed, but that in India takes on a profoundly symbolic meaning: here, dedicating itself to this sport, still considered male prerogative, is an act of challenge and emancipation.
In the heart of a still strongly patriarchal society, skateboarding has become a personal and collective redemption tool for many young women, a form of silent, but powerful resistance, against gender stereotypes.
This is the case of Asha Gond and Puti, protagonists of one of the photographs belonging to the series “Shred the Patriarchy”, created by the documentary photographer Chantal Pinzi, awarded ai Sony World Photography Awards 2025 in the category Sport.
Asha and Puti come from the village of Janwaar, in Madhya Pradesh, where the skateboard contributed to triggering an unprecedented social change. Asha, 23, was the first of her community to travel abroad to compete in different competitions, and she was the only Indian woman who participated in the World Skateboarding Championship 2018 in China.
Thanks to this sport, many girls have conquered Economic independence, visibility and respect, showing that even a table on four wheels can become an instrument of freedom and change. Here are other shots of the award -winning photographic series.
Don’t you want to lose our news?
