Despite growing conversations around gender equality and inclusion across the world, there are still certain places where women are explicitly barred from entry. These bans are often rooted in religious, cultural or traditional beliefs that have endured over time. While some have sparked widespread protests and legal battles, others remain firmly in place due to longstanding societal norms. Here are 5 such places where women continue to face restrictions on entry:
1. Mount Omine, Japan
Mount Omine, located in Nara Prefecture, is a sacred site for the Shugendo religion. For over 1,300 years, women have been prohibited from climbing the mountain. The practice, known as nyonin kekkai or “women’s exclusion,” is based on the belief that female presence would interfere with the spiritual training of male monks. Despite criticism from gender rights activists and UNESCO’s encouragement of inclusivity (the site is a World Heritage Site), the ban remains enforced.
2. Sabarimala Temple, India
One of the most high-profile cases in recent years, the Sabarimala Temple in Kerala barred women of menstruating age (approximately 10 to 50 years old) from entering the shrine. The reason given is the celibate nature of the deity, Lord Ayyappa.
Although India’s Supreme Court ruled in 2018 that the ban was unconstitutional and discriminatory, strong opposition from conservative groups and ongoing legal reviews have complicated the enforcement of the ruling.
3. Mount Athos, Greece
Mount Athos is a monastic community and autonomous region in northern Greece that has prohibited women from entering for over a thousand years. The ban extends to female animals as well.
The reason is tied to the belief that the presence of women would distract monks from their spiritual path. This restriction is enshrined in Greek law and is also recognised by the European Union as part of Greece’s cultural heritage.
4. Haji Ali Dargah, India
Located on an islet off the coast of Mumbai, the Haji Ali Dargah is a popular Islamic shrine. For several years, women were not allowed to enter the inner sanctum of the dargah. The trustees claimed the restriction was in line with religious practices that prohibited women from being in close proximity to a male saint’s tomb.
In 2016, the Bombay High Court ruled that the ban was unconstitutional, and women were subsequently allowed entry following the court order. However, this remains an example of how religious traditions often clash with constitutional rights.
5. Mount Kailash, Tibet (China)
While not officially banned, there is a widely followed tradition that discourages women from undertaking the pilgrimage to Mount Kailash during certain times. Some Tibetan Buddhists believe that women should not climb the mountain because it is considered too sacred, and others suggest that menstruation makes women ritually impure for such spiritual journeys.
While not legally enforced, the cultural pressure is strong enough to limit women’s participation in the pilgrimage.
