In a step that proves that Saudi women are attempting to change the rules of the game, Saudi Arabia has finally announced that female gyms will be launched by the end of February. According to Saudi local newspaper Okaz, only gyms that want to promote fitness will be licensed, and competitive sports including Football and Tennis will not be included. Princess Rima bint Bandar said that about 250,000 jobs will be created as a result of this initiative, adding that they aim to have a gym for females in every district and neighborhood in the Saudi capital of Riyadh. Princess Rima told Okaz that it is not her responsibility to convince her society with the importance of sports, but her responsibility is to open doors for girls to a healthy lifestyle away from diseases that result from obesity and lack of movement. Having spent most of her youth between the United States and France, Princess Rima tries to defend women’s rights in Saudi Arabia, including increasing their participation in the workplace. Although the idea of licensed gyms for females wasn’t encouraged at the beginning, the announced decision was clear in…
Opening Female Gyms in Saudi Arabia: Saudi Women Unhurriedly Acquire Basic Rights
February 22, 2017
