Princess Reema bint Bandar Opening More Gyms in Saudi Arabia
This Saudi Princess Just Became Your New Fitness Icon
Princess Reema bint Bandar, a champion of women in her country, is turning her attention to sports this time.
As the first woman to ever head the Saudi Federation for Community Sports (SFCS), she is pushing for improvements on the women's front of the sports industry. First, she's licensing a women's gym in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, as many of them are unregulated and in the grey market (an unofficial market in goods that have not been obtained from an official supplier), Arab News reports. But that's all going to change now that she's at the helm.
Already, 47 gyms are licensed, with another 500 expecting to be registered by the summer (and not a moment too soon for women working on their summer bodies).
The more gyms that are registered, the more legitimate jobs for women will be created. In fact, Princess Reema estimates that this will open up more than 40,000 roles.
The Saudi princess has long been hailed for her support and ambition for women in the workplace in Saudi Arabia. She was featured on two Forbes lists in 2014; The 200 Most Powerful Arab Women, and Most Powerful Arab Women in Saudi Arabia.
Princess Reema has said that women in the working economy (in this part of the world) is an "evolution, not westernization." She believes you can't have half of your population not working.
Right on the money, Princess.