A bike marathon for women was held in Mosul April 12, with the participation of over 300 young women from the city. It is the second women's bike marathon after the first was organized by women’s organizations, with the same number of participants, on March 13, 2018, about eight months after Mosul was liberated on July 10, 2017.

After the Islamic State (IS) seized the city, the women of Ninevah governorate faced violence and persecution, since freedom of opinion and expression was restricted, and they could not move freely from one place to another on their own. They lost all their freedoms and rights and were denied access to health care and education. The Hisbah (morality police) office’s first decisions targeted women, forcing them to wear the niqab. Muslim women wear this piece of cloth, which covers the face and is often black, with the abaya to completely conceal the features of a woman’s body except for the eyes. In addition, clothing considered indecent and cosmetics were banned.

Once the city was liberated from IS, the women of Mosul were able to participate in youth competitions and events and hold art exhibitions to express the painful memories of the IS control of the city.

Saja Sabah, a 21-year-old woman participating in the marathon, told Al-Monitor that by organizing and participating in such events, the women of Mosul are trying to send a clear message to IS that they are not afraid of practicing their hobbies and have the strength to eradicate extremism.