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Saudis clamp down on women's gyms | Saudis clamp down on women's gyms |
(20 minutes later) | |
Many women-only sports clubs and gyms in Saudi Arabia face closure under a government clampdown on unlicensed premises, Saudi media have reported. | Many women-only sports clubs and gyms in Saudi Arabia face closure under a government clampdown on unlicensed premises, Saudi media have reported. |
Women's gyms have become popular in the ultra-conservative Muslim country where the sexes are heavily segregated. | Women's gyms have become popular in the ultra-conservative Muslim country where the sexes are heavily segregated. |
But only clubs linked to medical groups can get licenses and others will be closed, the Arab News newspaper said. | But only clubs linked to medical groups can get licenses and others will be closed, the Arab News newspaper said. |
Saudi women were reported to have launched an online campaign in protest called Let Her Get Fat. | |
Government departments are not allowed to issue licenses for commercial gyms and sports clubs for women, unlike facilities for men, the newspaper reported. | Government departments are not allowed to issue licenses for commercial gyms and sports clubs for women, unlike facilities for men, the newspaper reported. |
Beauty salons | Beauty salons |
It quoted club manager Bader al-Shibani, who tried to open a women's sports club along with the one he runs for men in Jeddah. | It quoted club manager Bader al-Shibani, who tried to open a women's sports club along with the one he runs for men in Jeddah. |
"I ran into a stone wall at every turn. Every department I visited denied that they had the authority to give permission to establish a women's club," he said. | "I ran into a stone wall at every turn. Every department I visited denied that they had the authority to give permission to establish a women's club," he said. |
Many clubs are registered as beauty salons, and offer fitness facilities and even exercise classes in addition, the newspaper said. | Many clubs are registered as beauty salons, and offer fitness facilities and even exercise classes in addition, the newspaper said. |
A spokesman for the Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs told the newspaper that commercial clubs do not have registration for the provision of sport and health services. | A spokesman for the Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs told the newspaper that commercial clubs do not have registration for the provision of sport and health services. |
"It's clear that one department is now taking the decision to put an end to the increasing number of unlicensed clubs," lawyer and community activist Abdulaziz al-Qasim told Arab News. | "It's clear that one department is now taking the decision to put an end to the increasing number of unlicensed clubs," lawyer and community activist Abdulaziz al-Qasim told Arab News. |
A group of women launched an internet campaign in protest against the move, saying facilities linked to medical clinics were too expensive, and their health would suffer as a result of the closures. | A group of women launched an internet campaign in protest against the move, saying facilities linked to medical clinics were too expensive, and their health would suffer as a result of the closures. |
Women in Saudi Arabia are banned from driving, must wear a head-to-toe cloak when out in public and must obtain permission from a male relative to work, travel, study or marry. | Women in Saudi Arabia are banned from driving, must wear a head-to-toe cloak when out in public and must obtain permission from a male relative to work, travel, study or marry. |
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