In conservative Kandahar, new gym creates safe space for Afghan women
Skip to main content
  • Home
  • Economy
  • Stocks
  • Analysis
  • World+Biz
  • Sports
  • Splash
  • Features
  • Videos
  • Long Read
  • Games
  • Epaper
  • More
    • COVID-19
    • Bangladesh
    • Infograph
    • Interviews
    • Offbeat
    • Thoughts
    • Podcast
    • Quiz
    • Tech
    • Subscribe
    • Archive
    • Trial By Trivia
    • Magazine
    • Supplement
  • বাংলা
The Business Standard
MONDAY, MAY 23, 2022
MONDAY, MAY 23, 2022
  • Home
  • Economy
  • Stocks
  • Analysis
  • World+Biz
  • Sports
  • Splash
  • Features
  • Videos
  • Long Read
  • Games
  • Epaper
  • More
    • COVID-19
    • Bangladesh
    • Infograph
    • Interviews
    • Offbeat
    • Thoughts
    • Podcast
    • Quiz
    • Tech
    • Subscribe
    • Archive
    • Trial By Trivia
    • Magazine
    • Supplement
  • বাংলা
In conservative Kandahar, new gym creates safe space for Afghan women

World+Biz

Reuters
24 September, 2020, 11:55 am
Last modified: 24 September, 2020, 12:02 pm

Related News

  • Afghan women's team plays first game in Australia
  • Actor Elnaaz Norouzi on working with Hollywood actor Gerard Butler in 'Kandahar'
  • No trips for Afghan women unless escorted by male relative:Taliban
  • Singapore finds suspected Omicron Covid-19 cluster in gym
  • Brac Bank inaugurates fitness centre for its employees

In conservative Kandahar, new gym creates safe space for Afghan women

When the Taliban ruled the country between 1996 and 2001, they banned education for females and barred women from leaving the house without a male relative

Reuters
24 September, 2020, 11:55 am
Last modified: 24 September, 2020, 12:02 pm
Photo: Reuters
Photo: Reuters

In Afghanistan's southern province of Kandahar, rights activist Maryam Durani has found a fresh outlet for her decades of advocacy - a new fitness centre for women.

Durani, 36, is a fierce campaigner for women's rights in the conservative stronghold where the Islamist Taliban militant group have major sway and take a conservative stance on the position of women, who mostly wear the burqa in public.

She runs a radio station for women, has served on the provincial council and was presented with the International Women of Courage Award by Michelle Obama for in 2012. Last year, Durani switched tack to open a female-only gym, which draws about 50 women attend each day.

"The reaction of the ladies was very positive because they needed it," she said, shortly after working out with a group of clients. "What bothered me was the reaction of the men...who reacted negatively to our club and even insulted me because they thought our club was in opposition to Sharia."

With a troop withdrawal signed between the United States and the Taliban, who have fought a bloody war for 19 years, many women in Afghanistan worry the militant group may exert its influence through formal political channels.

When the Taliban ruled the country between 1996 and 2001, they banned education for females and barred women from leaving the house without a male relative.

The group says it has changed but many women remain sceptical.

"My only concern is about their view of women's rights and what freedoms and restrictions they will impose on me," said Durani.

For now, her focus is on serving the dozens of women who attend the club, whom she describes as a cross-section of society including housewives and women who work outside the home.

"My only wish is to be seen as a human in this society," she said.

Top News

Afghan women / Kandahar / Gym

Comments

While most comments will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive, moderation decisions are subjective. Published comments are readers’ own views and The Business Standard does not endorse any of the readers’ comments.

Top Stories

  • BPC hunts for dollar to import fuel oil
    BPC hunts for dollar to import fuel oil
  • Representational Image. Photo: Mumit M/TBS
    Govt to list products to suspend imports amid dollar crisis
  • Infographic: TBS
    With 2 months left, 45% ADP fund still unspent 

MOST VIEWED

  • Members of Iran's Revolutionary Guards march during a parade to commemorate the anniversary of the Iran-Iraq war (1980-88), in Tehran September 22, 2010. REUTERS/Morteza Nikoubazl/File Photo
    Iran's Revolutionary Guards say colonel assassinated in Tehran
  • Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen looks on during a joint news conference with United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres (not seen) in Vienna, Austria May 11, 2022. REUTERS/Lisa Leutner
    Austrian president announces he is seeking re-election
  • People walk past the congress center, the venue of the World Economic Forum 2022 (WEF) in the Alpine resort of Davos, Switzerland on 22 May, 2022. Photo: Reuters
    Ukraine comes to Davos in first spring gathering of business leaders
  • Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC)/ Tehran Times
    Members of Israeli intelligence network discovered and arrested in Iran
  • Photo: Onu Tareq
    10-year-old Indian girl climbs Everest base camp
  • US President Joe Biden discusses the United States' response to Russian invasion of Ukraine and warns CEOs about potential cyber attacks from Russia at Business Roundtable's CEO Quarterly Meeting in Washington, DC, US on 21 March. Photo: Reuters
    Biden warns of potentially 'consequential' monkeypox spread

Related News

  • Afghan women's team plays first game in Australia
  • Actor Elnaaz Norouzi on working with Hollywood actor Gerard Butler in 'Kandahar'
  • No trips for Afghan women unless escorted by male relative:Taliban
  • Singapore finds suspected Omicron Covid-19 cluster in gym
  • Brac Bank inaugurates fitness centre for its employees

Features

Why everybody wants to be like TikTok

Why everybody wants to be like TikTok

11h | Panorama
Illustration: TBS

How the ban on porn sites spawned a local cybersex industry

13h | Panorama
3 best affordable sunscreens for all

3 best affordable sunscreens for all

14h | Mode
Warah uses three types of khadi material: a sheer and light one, a medium count and a thicker one.

Warah: Embroidered with culture and womanhood

16h | Mode

More Videos from TBS

Investors, public to suffer from electricity price hike

Investors, public to suffer from electricity price hike

3h | Videos
Health benefits of summer fruits

Health benefits of summer fruits

4h | Videos
The way Bangladesh saves almost extinct fish

The way Bangladesh saves almost extinct fish

4h | Videos
Padma’s Char now largest grazing-ground

Padma’s Char now largest grazing-ground

5h | Videos

Most Read

1
Tk100 for bike, Tk2,400 for bus to cross Padma Bridge
Bangladesh

Tk100 for bike, Tk2,400 for bus to cross Padma Bridge

2
A packet of US five-dollar bills is inspected at the Bureau of Engraving and Printing in Washington March 26, 2015. REUTERS/Gary Cameron
Banking

Dollar hits Tk100 mark in open market

3
PK Halder: How a scamster rose from humble beginnings to a Tk11,000cr empire
Crime

PK Halder: How a scamster rose from humble beginnings to a Tk11,000cr empire

4
Bangladesh at risk of losing ownership of Banglar Samriddhi
Bangladesh

Bangladesh at risk of losing ownership of Banglar Samriddhi

5
BSEC launches probe against Abul Khayer Hero and allies
Stocks

BSEC launches probe against Abul Khayer Hero and allies

6
The story of Bangladesh becoming a major bicycle exporter
Industry

The story of Bangladesh becoming a major bicycle exporter

The Business Standard
Top
  • Home
  • Entertainment
  • Sports
  • About Us
  • Bangladesh
  • International
  • Privacy Policy
  • Comment Policy
  • Contact Us
  • Economy
  • Sitemap
  • RSS

Contact Us

The Business Standard

Main Office -4/A, Eskaton Garden, Dhaka- 1000

Phone: +8801847 416158 - 59

Send Opinion articles to - oped.tbs@gmail.com

For advertisement- sales@tbsnews.net

Copyright © 2022 THE BUSINESS STANDARD All rights reserved. Technical Partner: RSI Lab