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| Arabia |
| Exercising in Jeddah a Walk on the Wild Side |
| 2005-03-03 |
| Many women want to be physically fit, but they are having a hard time accomplishing much without having to endure sexual harassment, sidewalks that look like moonscapes and drivers far more interested in going fast than respecting pedestrians. Women in Jeddah claim there are not enough safe outdoor places for walking and exercise. They say they face constant danger from speeding cars, teenage harassment and air pollution as sidewalks around empty fields and enclosures are the only places for exercise. Doctors contend those places are neither healthy nor safe environments to walk, but for many women it's the only choice they have. These places usually are crowded and full of so-called men and boys who bother and harass women, which forces many women to seek the escort of a male relative. Hala Yousif, 26, longs for a place with privacy so that women could walk freely — without their abayas and away from the sight of leering, boorish men. "Unfortunately, a huge, modern city such as Jeddah doesn't have a special public park for women to practice a simple activity like walking," said Sara Abdullah, 29. "The municipality should establish a fenced public park for us, with special sidewalks for pedestrians, a roadway for biking and green areas for picnics and other activities." She says health clubs aren't the solution. "Some women don't feel comfortable going to health clubs since they become a place for socializing and showing off rather than exercising which is annoying," said Sara. "Many can't afford to pay gym fees, which can be pricey. Some women just prefer to exercise in an open area and enjoy fresh air." Some women find it ironic that a society trying to combat obesity and maintaining traditions can't help women by providing a safe place for exercise. Statistics show that 52 percent of Saudi women suffer from obesity because many of them spend most of their time at home unable to find a suitable place to exercise freely. Besides the childish harassment, which men could easily remedy by giving women the respect they deserve, safety and health issues still remain. Some doctors advise pregnant women to avoid crowded places. The famous Pregnant Wall in Jeddah, east of Sitteen Street, that many pregnant women use for walking and exercise, is said to be polluted and unhealthy. It is also somewhat unsafe for walking since the sidewalks are not flat and full of curves, stones, cracks, holes and garbage cans. Moreover, trees planted in the sidewalks creates an obstacle for walkers. One physician said the problems of the Pregnant Wall could actually present health risks to the unborn children. "Walking in an appropriately equipped place for pregnant women is beneficial because in the early months of pregnancy the muscles get flaccid," said Dr. Lamia Shaaban, a specialist in obstetrics and gynecology. "Exercise helps tighten and strengthen the leg muscles to make a woman ready for delivery and improve her physical conditioning to help her endure the pain." The doctor said a proper exercise area would be in an place with fresh air and be equipped with restrooms, food vendors and seating as the recommendation for pregnant women call for 30 minutes of walking followed by 10 minutes of rest. Although there is no place especially dedicated to such activity, the physician does offer a suggestion. "The best place for pregnant women to walk is in Al-Shatia district near the Jeddah Hilton," she said. "Although it's not fully equipped, it is the safest place, marked for distances and provided with chairs for rest." Most doctors recommend walking next to the beach near the Corniche. A public sidewalk that is marked for distance was established recently there for male and female walkers. However, it's still a place full of foolish boys, congested traffic, noise and speeding cars. Many of the problems are the same for all Jeddah residents who enjoy walking. "When I walk next to the stream in Al-Rawda district, I don't feel safe because of the speeding cars passing by us," said Muhammad Ahmad, 35. "These cars are noisy in addition to the exhaust they belch that we inhale. I don't think it's a suitable place to walk." Sadly, for some Jeddah residents who seek to be physically fit, there can be a horrible price to pay. Abdullah Hamed, a 50-year-old Saudi man, said his daughter was involved in a dreadful accident while she was walking on a sidewalk. She was severely injured with broken bones and injuries to several parts of her body. She has undergone 28 operations because of the accident, but she still suffers from excruciating pain. |
| Posted by:tipper |
| #1 That's because islam respects women. |
| Posted by: ed 2005-03-03 9:25:40 AM |