A proposal to allocate special ‘pink’ parking spaces for women in key locations across the capital has been put on hold after sharp differences emerged within the Capital Trustees Board.
The idea, originally proposed by board member Dr Wafa Ajoor, called for at least 20 per cent of parking bays in shopping malls, hospitals, universities and government departments to be reserved for women.
However, board chairwoman Khulood Al Qattan questioned the practicality of a blanket allocation at a meeting held recently.
“The proposal is out of context, because in many malls the majority of shoppers are already women,” Ms Al Qattan said.
“If 90 per cent of the users are female, then setting aside 20 per cent of the parking as women-only does not make sense,” she added.
“It would end up being restrictive rather than helpful.”
Dr Ajoor, however, insisted that the concept remained important for safety and accessibility.
“These spaces would enhance women’s sense of safety in public places, reduce the time spent searching for secure parking, and make daily commutes easier, particularly for working women, those with children and the elderly,” Dr Ajoor said.
“It is a practical and civilised step that reflects respect for women and their role in society.”
She pointed out that many countries such as Germany, South Korea and the UAE had successfully adopted similar initiatives with positive outcomes.
The proposal also recommended installing additional lighting, surveillance cameras and clear signboards, with pink designs to distinguish the spaces.
It further suggested locating the bays near entrances and disabled parking spots to reduce walking distances, and encouraged the private sector to embrace the idea as part of their social responsibility.
“This proposal is about improving urban planning to serve different segments of society, not about creating division,” Dr Ajoor stressed.
However, the board members are not convinced yet.
The disagreement has left the proposal in limbo, with no clear consensus on whether it should move forward or be reworked.
Council members now face the challenge of striking a balance between ensuring inclusivity and meeting the practical needs of parking management in busy public spaces.
mohammed@gdnmedia.bh
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