Women’s Sports Clubs to be Licensed in Saudi Arabia for the First Time

For a male dominated, ultra-religious and conservative Islamic Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the licensing of women’s sports clubs, the first time for the Kingdom, is indeed a huge step forward. The approval was announced last Friday.

For countries like Saudi Arabia, where modernity is part of their economic and financial development, the society is still very much steeped in strict traditions. A member of the highest council of clerics in the country in 2009 had disallowed girls from engaging in sports activities for fear of “losing their virginity.” Exercise classes are not part of the curriculum in state-funded school for girls.

Exercise facilities, including gyms for women in Saudi Arabia have to obtain a license from the Health Ministry. These facilities are considered health centers rather than gyms.

Broad and bold changes

It is part of their tradition for women to ask permission from a male relative when big decisions have to be made. They are forbidden from driving and decisions to work, travel abroad, to marry, undergo an elective surgery or even the simple act of opening a bank account should have the permission of a male relative, usually a brother, a husband or a father.

For the first time last year, after receiving pressure from groups supporting international rights, Saudi Arabia sent women athletes to compete in the Olympics. Two women competed for the Kingdom, a sprinter and a judoka. One of these two women athletes had been trained overseas.

Media company Al-Watan, owned by a prince in Saudi Arabia reported last year that the Saudi government had set up a new ministerial committee which allowed the establishment of the sports clubs for women. The country’s sports ministry, called the General Presidency of Youth Welfare only handles the regulations for sports clubs for men. It was also reported that the results of the study reviewed by the Interior Ministry showed that the existing system had flaws.

Saudi Arabia’s King Abdullah himself is making bold moves for Saudi women to have more freedom, some of which meet with strong oppositions from the conservative, yet powerful clerics. He named 30 women in January to be members of the Shura Council. This is a body appointed to debate on legislations for the future. They then give advice to the government, even if these are non-binding. The King is also pushing for more opportunities for women in the areas of education and work.