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Women's Fitness: Breaking Barriers in India & Uganda
4 Jan
Summary
- Women face barriers to exercise, including space, safety, and suitable attire.
- Mildred Apenyo founded Uganda's first women-only gym, FitcliqueAfrica.
- Swetha Subbiah co-founded Sisters In Sweat in India to address sport dropout.
In Uganda and India, grassroots movements are empowering women through exclusive fitness communities, addressing significant barriers to physical activity. Mildred Apenyo launched FitcliqueAfrica in Uganda, the country's first women-only gym, recognizing challenges like limited space, safety issues, and the scarcity of socially acceptable sportswear that deter many women from participating in exercise across East Africa.
FitcliqueAfrica emphasizes holistic wellness and safety, offering a range of activities from strength training and African Yoga to self-defense. Concurrently, in Bangalore, India, Swetha Subbiah co-founded Sisters In Sweat in 2017. This initiative aims to tackle the alarming trend of women discontinuing sports after their school or college years, a situation exacerbated by the near absence of organized recreational sports for women in India.
Both initiatives provide crucial platforms for women to engage in sports and fitness within supportive environments. Sisters In Sweat strives to ensure women have opportunities to enjoy sports with like-minded individuals, fostering a sense of community and sustained participation. These community-led efforts are vital in creating more inclusive spaces for women's health and recreation.
