Jeddah, Aug 28 (Arab News): Jeddah Mayor Saleh Al-Turki has appointed four women to key positions in the municipality in an unprecedented move toward female empowerment in Saudi local government.

The appointments are expected to pave the way for similar decisions across the Kingdom, increasing the contribution by women to the growth of local communities and the country as a whole.

“Jeddah is a big city that is even growing bigger and we need to keep up with this growth. I have actually appointed qualified people of both genders in a number of departments in the municipality,” Al-Turki told Arab News.

He said the municipality provided services to all beneficiaries, regardless of the their gender.

In the reshuffle, the municipality’s general directorate for female services has been renamed the female municipality branch, and will be headed by Maryam Ahmed Abu Al-Aineen, who will be directly affiliated with the deputy mayor.

Rasha Ghazi Al-Muhanna has been appointed director of Dhahban branch municipality, and is directly linked to the assistant deputy mayor for services.

Al-Turki also appointed Hiba Hussein Al-Balawi head of Al-Sharafiyah central municipality with a direct link with the assistant deputy mayor for services. And Amani Mahmoud Abdul-Karim will oversee the performance of all four municipalities in Central Jeddah — Sharafiyah, historical Jeddah, Old Airport and Al-Balad.

In other administrative decisions, Nassir Al-Jarallah is the new manager for the General Administration for Markets and Slaughterhouses, associated with the deputy mayor for services. Areej Nasser Al-Buqami, former director of Manpower Planning and Employment, is now head of the Human Resources Department, with a direct connection with Al-Turki.

The mayor has also established branches of the municipality in North Obhur, Abrag Al-Raghama and Khuzam zones.