Women's rights in Saudi Arabia are among the most restricted in the world. Women have made strides in Saudi Arabia during the last 10 years, in employment, at universities, and even in politics.
But they still cannot drive, and continue to face severe social restrictions, as Barbara Plett Usher in Riyadh finds. Safe behind the gates of a large beautiful villa, women take off their black robes and don the latest in trendy exercise outfits. They have to be discreet. Women's fitness programmes are relatively new in Saudi Arabia and they do not want to attract censor from religious authorities who promote the state's austere version of Islam. Like most of those interviewed she did not want to be identified because of a potential backlash from religious conservatives.
The health club starts off new members slowly, but it also pushes the boundaries by offering extreme fitness training known as Crossfit - a combination of weight-lifting, gymnastics and cardio workout. To a soundtrack of girl-power music the women lift barbells and jump onto inch boxes, cheering each other on. There has been movement in this field, despite the sensitivity. Last year a Royal Decree made physical education for schoolgirls mandatory for the first time.
And a number of organisations have submitted proposals to the government suggesting criteria for licensing female fitness centres. If approved such a move would join other advances for women in the past 10 years, promoted by the late King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz. More and more are getting jobs; they outnumber men at universities; and they have made inroads into politics - 30 women now sit on a government advisory board called the Shura Council.
But there is a long way to go yet in their struggle to gain equality with men in law and practice. In an upscale restaurant, a group of young professional men and women network over coffee and fizzy fruit drinks, quietly defying the kingdom's strict gender segregation. Women are banned from driving in Saudi Arabia, although some have showed defiance. But none of the female lawyers and investment bankers present could drive themselves home.
