Walking hand-in-hand toward the skatepark with their decks tucked under their arms, Asha Gond and Puti represent the pioneering spirit of India's emerging female skateboarding community. Their journey has become the powerful subject of an award-winning photography series that captures both their athletic prowess and their fight against societal barriers.
Even in Western countries, female skaters have struggled to break into a sport that has long been dominated by men. In India's deeply patriarchal society, women like Gond have faced even greater obstacles in pursuing their passion for skateboarding. However, these challenges have not deterred them from achieving remarkable success on the global stage.
Gond's determination has led to historic achievements in the sport. In 2018, she made history as the only female skater representing India at the World Skateboarding Championship held in Nanjing, China. Her participation marked a significant milestone for women's skateboarding in the country and demonstrated the potential for change in traditionally male-dominated sports.
"Against prejudice and threats, some women have rebelled, balancing on a board and transforming skateboarding into a form of resistance against the patriarchy," explained Chantal Pinzi, an Italian photographer who has dedicated her work to documenting India's female skateboarding movement. Her compelling photo series, titled "Shred the Patriarchy," captures the essence of this cultural revolution.
Pinzi's work goes beyond simple sports photography, revealing the deeper social significance of these women's actions. "Through the art of falling and getting back up, these women challenge stereotypes, fight marginalization and reclaim public spaces in both urban and rural areas," she noted. The series demonstrates how skateboarding has become a powerful tool for social change and female empowerment.
The photographer's dedication to this subject has been recognized internationally. Pinzi won the sports category at the prestigious 2025 Sony World Photography Awards for her "Shred the Patriarchy" series, bringing global attention to the stories of these remarkable Indian women.
The series serves multiple purposes beyond celebrating female empowerment. It also highlights how simple infrastructure improvements, such as building skateparks, can dramatically transform lives and communities. This transformation is particularly evident in the village of Janwaar in Madhya Pradesh, where Gond grew up and where the introduction of skateboarding facilities has created new opportunities for young women.
The impact of skateboarding in rural communities like Janwaar demonstrates the sport's potential to bridge social divides and create positive change. By providing safe spaces for girls and women to practice and excel in skateboarding, these facilities have become catalysts for broader social transformation and gender equality initiatives in traditional Indian communities.
