IN PHOTOS: 200 ‘Kung Fu nuns’ begin 3,000-km bike trip for gender equality

Over 200 Buddhist nuns trained in martial arts kicked off a month-long bike journey from Nepal through India on Saturday, Dec., 23.

Known as the “Kung Fu nuns,” the Buddhist nuns of the Drukpa order frequently organize cycling trips and pilgrimages in support of gender equality, as well as other issues. This year, the women will also ride to raise awareness about human trafficking. Last year, the nuns rode to draw attention to environmental issues.

Every year, thousands of women and children across South Asia are lured into cities and across borders with the promise of lucrative jobs and a better life, but are instead sold into modern-day slavery.

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Since a catastrophic earthquake left thousands of people homeless in 2015, Nepal has seen a rise in the number of trafficking cases. The region’s human rights commission estimated that there were approximately 23,200 cases of trafficking or attempted trafficking last year.

The trip will span a 3,000-kilometre route from the hills of Nepal’s capital Kathmandu, pedalling through south India to Delhi and then to Darjeeling.

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The nuns said they stumbled upon several cases of human trafficking while doing volunteer work with earthquake victims.

“That’s how we had this idea of going on this cycle yatra to all the remote places and telling people we are all girls. Girls are capable of doing everything,” said 23-year-old nun Jigme Konchok Lhamo.

*With files from AFP