Women in Development and Peace
Throughout Yemeni history, exceptional Yemeni women have emerged, etching their names in gold across various fields and sectors, leaving a clear mark on the progress of their country. Since ancient civilizations, Yemen has distinguished itself by a unique status for women, manifested in their active participation in various aspects of life, starting with power and governance and reaching fields like economics, social life, and culture.
Historical evidence points to Yemeni women in ancient times enjoying significant influence, evident in their control of economic property and their divine representation in certain civilizations. In the Kingdom of Sheba, for example, Queen Balqis played a crucial role in governing and developing the kingdom.
Ancient times also witnessed transformations in women’s roles. Power gradually shifted to men, linked to the emergence of feudal systems that marginalized women’s roles and increased their oppression.
Yemeni Women’s Revolutions
Yemeni women never surrendered to men’s dominance over power throughout history. They resisted, seeking to liberate themselves from imposed restrictions through various means and methods. At different points in history, women revolted against injustice and fought to reclaim their rights.
Queen Arwa is a prime example of a revolutionary woman. She led a revolution against feudal rulers, successfully regaining power and implementing reforms across various aspects of life with remarkable skill and efficiency.
Names of Yemeni queens who ruled during the periods of ancient Yemeni invasions have also emerged, such as Queen Nadin Di Sidq Shams, whose kingdom’s borders reached Greece, Queen Lamis bint Nawwaf bin Yareem, and Queen Awsan Akhla Al-Awsania. This prestigious Yemeni heritage stands in stark contrast to the reality of women in Europe at the beginning of the 19th century, where they were not allowed to study in universities and were destined to remain among the oppressed classes in society.
Yemeni Women in the Modern Era
Yemeni women kept pace with the developments witnessed worldwide in various fields. At the beginning of the 19th century, Yemeni women faced challenges similar to those faced by women around the world, such as being barred from education and access to high-ranking positions.
But the spirit of Yemeni women never broke. They engaged in long struggles to secure their rights and achieved significant milestones, including obtaining the right to education and work, and reaching decision-making positions.
Inspiring female role models for future generations have emerged, confirming that potential has no limits when determination and perseverance are present. Among those role models are Dr. Wahiba Fari’ Ghalib, the first Yemeni woman to hold the position of minister, appointed as Minister of Human Rights in 2001, Amat Al-Alim Ali Al-Soswa, appointed as Minister of Human Rights in 2003, and Ramziya Al-Iryani, the first woman diplomat to join the Yemeni diplomatic corps and recognized as a pioneer in the field of media. There are many other leading women like them.
Women’s Participation in Yemen is Hampered by Several Obstacles
Arab and Yemeni women, in particular, have faced numerous social and cultural barriers that have prevented them from fully participating in public and political life throughout history.
Maria Rashid, in her November 2023 paper titled “The Government’s Role in Empowering Women to Reach Decision-Making Positions,” states that prevailing social culture, especially popular culture, reinforces a negative view of women and emphasizes male guardianship and authority over them. This perpetuates the historical division of roles between genders, confining women to the family sphere (reproduction and childcare) while assigning political, transformative, and productive roles to men.
The paper further points out the dominance of religious discourse, where tribal, clan, and sectarian mentalities shape the structure of Arab society, particularly in Yemen, imparting a “familial” rather than a “civic” character. This hinders civic participation, while social heritage and the patriarchal system continue to influence customs and traditions, perpetuating discriminatory values against women, encouraging violence against them, and reinforcing stereotypical role divisions between men and women. Weak rules governing women’s independence also contribute to their ongoing dependence on men.
Maria argues that these factors have negatively impacted women’s public and political participation in Yemen, mirroring the situation in other Arab countries. Despite some gains in women’s independence in past periods and their assumption of positions in various fields and sectors, the emergence of extremist movements has led to a decline in their role and marginalization within society.
Steps Towards Meaningful Political Participation
Numerous recent local and international reports highlight the importance of women’s participation in public life for bolstering democracy and sustainable development in Yemen. This significance lies in empowering women and fostering their responsibility in various fields, improving state productivity across sectors, and raising women’s cultural, intellectual, and legal awareness. This empowers them to counter any external forces that threaten their existence.
However, Yemeni women’s representation in decision-making positions within government institutions remains extremely low. This is attributed to numerous factors, including legal provisions. Despite the Yemeni Constitution and the Law on Political Parties and Organizations recognizing women’s right to public and political participation, the practical implementation of these provisions faces numerous challenges. The Yemeni government has not made sufficient efforts to effectively empower women in public life.
The National Women’s Committee has sought to encourage the appointment of women to decision-making positions in ministries and local authorities, and to promote their participation in various aspects of life, including political life.
The National Women’s Committee has embodied its efforts in formulating policies and strategies aimed at empowering women by developing plans and programs to enhance women’s participation in public, political, and economic life. This includes encouraging their candidacy for elections, assuming leadership positions in the state, and following up on the implementation of international agreements related to women’s rights, including the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women.
The committee consistently advocates for implementing a quota system to ensure 30% female representation in decision-making positions, in line with Yemen’s international obligations. The committee also sends formal memos to government leaders demanding the inclusion of women in any new government formations, consultations, or negotiations.
However, Yemen suffers from a huge gender gap in both the civil service and government institutions, which has worsened with the outbreak of the conflict. The displacement of many highly qualified women has increased this gap, and women who have held senior positions in the civil service have faced increased risks due to their political affiliation. Women remain limited in their representation in government institutions, especially economic ones.
The Global Gender Gap Index reflects this decline. While Yemen ranked 115th in 2006, it has fallen dramatically to 155th in 2021. This decline has not been limited to the general index, but has also affected the sub-index “Participation and Economic Opportunities,” with Yemen dropping from 114th to 154th, indicating a significant deterioration in women’s participation in economic life and their chances of obtaining decent work.
Many local reports dealing with women’s issues have proposed steps that could contribute to empowering women in public life at all levels. These include reviewing and amending all laws and regulations that hinder women’s participation in public life, promoting gender equality, enacting strict laws criminalizing violence against women, providing them with protection and necessary support, and allocating quotas for women in leadership positions in all areas and sectors, including government, legislative councils, and political parties.