Saudi Arabia Opens Doors To Women-Only Gyms

In a bid to make life a wee bit easier for Saudi women, the kingdom is now set to open female-only gyms in every district, according to CNN.

The aim is to give women access to recreational activities so that they could join a gym without any hesitation.

Also Read: Saudi Arabia Celebrates Its First Women’s Day

Princess Rima bint Bandar, vice-president for women's affairs at the General Authority of Sports, announced this news, local daily Okaz reported. Licences will be issued for gyms by the end of February. While the princess is concerned about women’s independence as a whole, yet she mentioned that the purpose of opening these gyms will be strictly for fitness – no other activities for women are on the cards.

Saudi Arabia to finally allow female-only gyms https://t.co/PV0nfjWpFp pic.twitter.com/cF0lKJttgc

— Cristóbal Delatorre (@CristoFeliz1) February 13, 2017

While Saudi Arabia remains to be a country where women are barred from participating in football, volleyball, basketball and tennis games, in a baby step this proposal of having separate gyms for women could be the new start. Gyms that offer fitness and weight loss procedure and activities like swimming, running and bodybuilding, will be getting licences very soon. Women’s rights are still a controversial factor here but this is seeing new change.

Speaking to Arab News, Princess Rima said, “It is not my role to convince society, but my role is limited to opening the doors for our girls to live a healthy lifestyle, away from diseases that result from obesity and lack of movement.”

READ: Saudi Arabia watches first film on a woman, by a woman

A CDC stat states that there are more obese women than men in the country. Girls go to schools where there are no physical education programs.

However, with this new rule, the state is one step closer to breaking the chain and heading towards maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

Also Read: Creating ‘inclusive’ fitness fashion: Arshiya Kherani of Sukoon

Feature Image Credit: he Times of Israel

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