By Georgette Valentini
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Women's International Day is not only a reminder of the rights we have fought for -and won- in many respects, but also of the long way ahead for many women because of outdated ideologies. This is a list of places that women still, in the 21st century, cannot go to, because even now there are places closed to women.
The worst part of it is that, in spite of this, many of these places have been declared World Cultural Heritage.
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Mount Omine
This place was declared World Cultural Heritage in 2004, in spite of the fact that women are forbidden to enterbecause they could be a "temptation" to the men inside, and other religious motives. Monte Omine is located in Japan and there is an 8th-century monastery in it.
Mount Athos
Located in Greece, Mount Athos was declared Cultural World Heritage in 1998. This is one of the most remote areas in Europe, and even men need a special permit to visit. Women, on top of being forbidden to travel or live there, must remain at least 500 meters (about 1640 ft) from it.
Here you will not find any female animals either. Ever since the 11th century, all female creatures have been forbidden to enter this sacred space, full of palaces and monasteries, to avoid being a temptation to men.
The only female creatures allowed to live here are cats because they serve as pest control against mice and other critters.
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Mlimadji Beach
This beach is located in the Africansoutheast, and it belongs to the archipelago known as Comor Islands. The religious community that lives here put pressure on the authorities to prohibit women from entering this particular island.
Okinoshima
Because it is considered a sacred place, this Japanese island has forbidden the entrance of women. This place is inhabited exclusively by men, and every year in May, 200 special permits are issued for male visitors to enter.
Ayyappan Temple
The temple dedicated to the Hindu god Ayyapan is located in Sabarimala, India. It is very controversial because it prohibits fertile women -i.e. between 14 and 50 years- to enter because it is considered a "celibate" place.
Saudi Arabia
Although women can enter Saudi Arabia, they have to be accompanied at all times by a man, and it's a place where many fundamental rights are not granted to women. For example, they are not allowed to try clothes in the stores and to visit graveyards.
One of the most absurd laws in this respect is that they are not allowed to get on a swing, because it is considered that the movent is sexually arousing for men.
X-Treme Faser Water Slide
This is a strange case where the prohibition has nothing to do with religion. This is a water park located in Germany. The Galaxy Erding park has forbidden women to enter certain water attractions because several women suffered genital injuries after going in one of the rides that makes users reach speeds of up to 70 km (about 43 miles) per hour.
Haji Ali Dargah
The temple of Haji Ali Dargah is located in the islet of Worli to the south of Bombay, India. This islet is home to the tomb of saint sufi Pir Aji Ali Bujhari, whose mausoleum forbids women form entering since 2011. The reason is that women might be menstruating and this makes them "impure." The same thing happens in many Hindu temples.
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Kafenion
Although there are only a few left, traditional Greek coffee shops known as kafenion do not allow the entrance of women. These are places for men to get together, play cards, talk, smoke, and drink coffee.
White Gentleman’s Club
These clubs, exclusively for rich men, became popular in the 19th century, a time when women were forbidden to enter. There are still a few of them in the UK.
The most iconic of these is the White Gentleman’s Club, a place where Prince Charles celebrated his bachelor party.
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