‘Where Are The Women?' Video From Afghanistan Gym Shows ‘Sad Reality'

News18

3 days ago

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Although Afghanistan has banned music in the country, the travel vlogger in his video revealed that the government only permits playing music inside the gyms.
Afghanistan would be the last country that pops into our minds when we think of a vacation. And yet, a travel vlogger decided to embark on a trip to the Mazar-i-Sharif city in Afghanistan as a part of his travel series 'My Afghan journey." In one of the videos he posted on Instagram, the globetrotter shared his experience of visiting a local gym. He was surprised to find no women inside the facility, which reflected a much deeper reality. In recent years, Afghan women have faced several restrictions on their rights and public appearance. Many are denied education and barred from employment, visiting parks, or even gyms.
'Ever wondered what it would be like to visit a gym in Afghanistan? Going to a gym in Mazar-i-Sharif was actually one of the more memorable and unique experiences of my time there. I try to work out at a local gym in every country I visit, as I think it's a great window into their culture," read the vlogger's side note. He also highlighted a few takeaways from the experience, revealing that the atmosphere inside was welcoming and some of the men there were extremely 'courteous".
Inside An Afghan Gym
The vlogger wrote, 'The gym is one of the rare places where the government permits music, which was surprising, especially after adhering to strict music regulations throughout my journey. You'll notice there are no women. Months ago, the T banned them from all gyms (and much more, including public parks, schools, etc). It's a travesty. I'll post specifically on this topic later."
'It was the liveliest place I encountered in Afghanistan. Due to the absence of bars or alcohol and restrictions on many social activities, it seemed people utilised the gym as a hub for socialising and meeting friends. I stood out like a sore thumb, but the locals were extremely courteous. Some who spoke English approached me to chat, allowed me to join their workout sets, and one even offered to spot me during a lift," he added.
The internet was quick to react to the post. 'They're just trying to get through the day like the rest of us," commented one user. 'Should hire a trainer to push through the crowd," suggested another. One person found the video 'insanely interesting." 'I am surprised at how crowded the gym is. Wow," wrote an individual. Many pointed out that there were 'no women".
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