“Our bravery is in educating woman, respecting woman and empowering woman.” - Maria
Do you like to sing, dance, walk in the park, express yourself through fashion, or play sports? Now, imagine if all these aspects of life, along with getting an education, driving a car, or even having a career, were banned. How would you feel? And what if it were all because you were female?
I met and photographed a woman who lived under such conditions. Her name is Maria Toorpakai, a courageous Pakistani athlete who defied societal norms and risked her life to pursue her passion for sports. Born in South Waziristan, a conservative tribal region of Pakistan, she faced severe gender restrictions. However, she countered these barriers by disguising herself as a boy to freely play sports. Her story is a testament to her courage, resilience, and determination.
South Waziristan is dominated by tribal customs, with the Taliban enforcing strict patriarchal rules that left women with limited mobility, no access to sports, and minimal education. In such an environment, girls were expected to remain at home and adhere to traditional roles. But Maria’s father, Shamsul Qayyum, was different. He believed in gender equality and encouraged his daughters to seek education and participate in physical activities—an uncommon stance in that region.
From a young age, Maria was drawn to physical activity, especially sports. However, given the cultural norms of South Waziristan, girls were not allowed to participate in outdoor sports, let alone in public. Maria decided to disguise herself as a boy. At the age of four, she cut her hair short and dressed in boys' clothes and adopted the name "Genghis Khan" (after the famous Mongol warrior).
I want to tell girls, fear is taught; that you are born free and you are born brave.” - Maria
At the age of 12, Maria discovered squash, a sport that fascinated her due to its fast pace and physical demands. Her father took her to a squash club in Peshawar, where she would train as a boy. Maria's talent in squash quickly became evident, and she began winning local and national tournaments under her male alias.
Eventually, her true identity as a girl was revealed, causing shock and backlash from the community. The conservative society in which Maria lived did not accept girls participating in sports. Once it was known that she was actually a girl, she became the target of threats, harassment, and intense opposition.
The Taliban, enforcing strict interpretations of Islamic law, viewed women playing sports as immoral and unacceptable. Maria began receiving death threats and was forced to retreat into hiding. Confined to her home, she practised squash by hitting balls against the walls. Her family, too, lived under constant fear for their safety, but Maria’s determination never wavered.
Realizing that she could not achieve her potential or live freely in Pakistan under such threats, Maria reached out to international figures in the squash community for help. In 2011, her letter to Canadian squash legend Jonathon Power proved to be a turning point. Moved by her story, Power invited Maria to Canada to train at his squash academy.
Maria moved to Toronto, where she was finally able to train and compete without fear. She flourished as a player, rising through the international squash rankings. She went on to become Pakistan’s top-ranked female squash player and has competed in several international tournaments, representing her country with pride.
Maria has become a relentless advocate for women’s rights, education, and the empowerment of girls in regions affected by extremism. She uses her platform to raise awareness of the challenges girls face in conservative societies, urging the world to support women's education and participation in sports.
Maria Toorpakai’s journey is one of defiance in the face of oppression. She has become a symbol of courage and hope for women in Pakistan and beyond, proving that it’s possible to challenge deeply entrenched gender norms and thrive against adversity. Today, she continues to inspire young girls to break free from societal constraints and pursue their dreams.
It was an incredible experience to talk with and photograph Maria in Toronto at the squash academy and at her home. The oppression and violence against girls and women confounds me and has prompted me to focus my lens on women’s stories that reflect real life. Maria is not only courageous and strong; she is kind, humble, and smart. During our time together, she never mentioned that her autobiography, A Different Kind of Daughter: The Girl Who Hid from the Taliban in Plain Sight, was about to be published. It turned out that various publishers around the world used some of my images for Maria’s book—a small contribution to her extraordinary story.
Upcoming: Di-vur’si-te celebrates differences. It is about all the 'shades of grey' that make us who we are as a universal society. Images from Clee's Di-vur'si-te project.
This is a captivating story. Well done, Clee. Maria is a brave lady and an incredible role model.
This is a fabulous story of a courageous and determined woman. Thanks for capturing this beauty...and sharing her story!