The storm of gender segregation in the fountain: The "Stutzers" fountain where children can play and have fun was inaugurated a few months ago in Lod at a cost of millions of shekels, but it is already at the center of a storm, after Mayor Yair Revivo announced separate hours for boys and girls, and backtracked after suffering a public attack.
Earlier this week, Revivo announced on his Facebook account that additional hours had been added during which the fountain would be operated, but at the same time announced separate hours. On Sundays and Mondays from 11 a.m. to 00 p.m., he wrote, only girls will be allowed to bathe in the fountain, and on Mondays and Thursdays during the same hours only boys will be allowed. On Tuesdays, he added, the fountain will be open to the general public. In addition, from 14 p.m. to 00 p.m. every day, he noted, the fountain will be open to everyone.
The initiative to open a public fountain at separate times sparked outrage in the city. "Why is it good? It's not a pool, it's a public area. No one wants to come here anyway. Add anxiety," one user fumed. "There is no logic in separating in a water fountain," added another. Other users were angry at the announcement and called to travel to the nearby fountain in Rishon LeZion, where there is no separation. "It's a public place, why separate? What will single mothers who have both sons and daughters do? Just a shame."
After receiving harsh criticism, the mayor backtracked, and last night announced that the fountain would be open to everyone without separation. "The fountain will open Sunday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 00 p.m.," he wrote on Facebook.
Yair Revivo Mayor of Lod (archive), photo: Oren Ben Hakon
The Lod municipality said in response: "It is important for us to be attentive to the feelings of the public. In light of comments by many residents of the city that it is impractical to carry out separation in open public spaces, and after much thought, we decided to cancel the separate hours so that everyone will enjoy the fountain on the basis of gender equality. Everyone is welcome to come and enjoy the attraction."
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