Okaz/Saudi Gazette JEDDAH — The row over participation of women members in the deliberations of the Jeddah Municipal Council is just a media bubble and there has been no expulsion of women councilors, Chairman Adil Batati has said. Batati categorically denied what some Jeddawis have termed as "deliberate expulsion of women members" from the council discussions and said female members are attending all the meetings and are being well-heard. "There might be some misunderstanding and confusion during the first session of the council because of a secluded glass room to which the women have objected believing that this was the ultimate place earmarked for them in the council," he said. Batati said the council's meetings are being conducted via a closed circuit which enables women members to participate in discussions on all issues concerning Jeddah and its inhabitants. "Putting women members in a special place will not adversely affect their supervisory role. It is one's ability and not seats or the sitting place which is important," he added. The chairman said women councilors are performing their duties perfectly similar to their male colleagues. "There are no differences or disparities. The women hear every thing and are being clearly heard. There is a team spirit to serve the city and its residents," he said. Batati described the furor over where the women sit as baseless media bubble and said the council is working normally and in an excellent manner. "We work according to the regulations which clearly define where men and women members should sit. The regulations are very clear in this aspect and we are committed to them," he said. The chairman said all the confusion arose during the first session when the women were seated in a glass-secluded room. "The women have mistakenly thought that this would be their final place in the council," he said. Batati said the crisis is over now and added that the women are actively participating in the council deliberations. On the other hand, press reports had it that the elected female council member Lama Al-Sulaiman has either resigned or is on her way to do so. However, some members described the reports as "mere rumors on the social media" and said she is still in the council discharging her duties as usual.
