Al Khatatba rejects principle of quota in work

The former deputy in the Jordanian parliament, Kholoud Al Khatatba, rejected using  the various forms of quota in the various legislative elections, especially "women's quota", because it does not reflect the level reached by women in Jordan, in the educational, cultural and social levels

In interview with Arbas Today, Al Khatatba noted that "women's quota" was a necessity for women to be involved in the electoral process, especially legislative ones, because women could not reach the parliament before the date of the approval of the women's quota in Jordan, for the first time, in the year 2003, except through one seat in the parliament was filled by MP Tujan Faisal in 1993.

Although a number of women have reached the parliament outside the quota system for women over the past 15 years, Al Khatatba believes that this period has not generally been able to change the perception of the effectiveness of Jordanian women in political life, especially at the grassroots rather than official level.

Al Khatatba considers that the one-vote law, which extended for 22 years, also contributed to restricting women's legislative role. She added that her work as media host for many years and her political experience contributed to her presence in the Jordanian parliament in 2017. She indicated that her work in the political journalism was a cornerstone for her to enter the parliament.

She explained that her sincere desire to make a positive and effective change contributes to the development of Jordan and the Jordanian citizen in various aspects of life, was the main motive for her strong movement in parliament.

"I was encouraged by my husband and family, where the journey to enter the parliament started," she said. "In 2003, the quota system for women was approved for the first time in Jordan and the 14th elections were held on the basis of it, "she added, pointing out that the Jordanian election law granted a quota for women to six seats in parliament.

"In 2007, when I was at the height of my journalistic work, my follow-up and my involvement in many programs aimed at empowering women politically and looking for reasons and ways to reach the real decision-making places, I thought I would enter the parliamentary elections in my province, Ajloun, north of Jordan," she added.

After that, Al Khatatba began to work in a systematic way to study the chances of her success, since there are only six seats for the quota in Jordan, exploiting her journalistic position and her private sources to enter the parliament.

"After rigging the 2007 elections, King Abdullah II decided to dissolve the Council after only two years of its forming, and as a result of the manipulation that took place, I was deprived of my right and success, which it has already done after hard work, but I did not lose hope," she said. "I decided to repeat the experience in 2013 and already succeeded in reaching the dome of parliament," she added.

Al Khatatba holds a bachelor's degree in journalism and media from Yarmouk University, and holds a course in journalism and politics from the University of North Carolina, as well as a course in politics, women and campaign management from the American University in Washington.

She was chosen in 2008 as one of the most prominent women leaders in the Middle East and North Africa by the US State Department, to participate in US election censorship in 2008. She worked as a political journalist in a number of daily newspapers and media consultant at the American Democratic Institute in the Women's Network.