By Abdulhadi Al-Suwaiyan

Okaz/Saudi Gazette

MADINAH — The municipality in Madinah announced on Monday the opening of an all-women municipality branch.

Madinah Municipality Head Mohammad Al-Amry said the women-only municipality branch will have all services offered by the municipality including issuance of licenses for commercial activities and construction permits, inspection campaigns, investment opportunities and others.

“In compliance with the National Transformation Program 2020 and the Kingdom’s Vision 2030, we worked on empowering women and facilitating our services for them. There are many qualified women to run the women branch,” said Al-Amry.

“An all-women municipality branch is a positive step for the empowerment of women,” said former Shoura Council member and adviser to the Minister of Labor and Social Development Hamdah Al-Enizi.

“We deserve equal employment opportunities and the current leadership is giving women more and more opportunities in the public sector which used to be male dominated. Women will be more involved in decision making and will have a direct impact on social and economic development,” said Al-Enizi.

Madinah Chamber of Commerce and Industry Businesswomen Committee head and businesswoman Ghadah Al-Qaidi said women’s role in the country’s development is essential.

“Having an all-women branch will facilitate the process of issuing licenses for women and their businesses,” said Al-Qaidi.

Madinah Volunteers brand ambassador Fadiyah Afifi said the decision will open up job opportunities for Saudi women. “We hope that women in the Kingdom will continue to gain more rights so they can have a strong positive impact on society,” said Afifi.