Hanan Hussein – Women in Development and Peace
For nearly a decade, Yemen has faced significant developmental and service challenges, greatly impacting various aspects of local communities. This necessitates innovative and sustainable solutions. There is a growing consensus that academia has a crucial role in developing scientific solutions that can effectively address the numerous challenges facing the country.
Among the most pressing challenges hindering sustainable development is the ongoing conflict, which represents the biggest obstacle for Yemen. It has led to the destruction of infrastructure and the displacement of countless citizens. Additionally, poverty and its high rates pose a significant barrier to achieving sustainable development, alongside water scarcity and widespread corruption within the country’s institutions. These factors impede development and diminish the efficiency of public services.
Numerous scientific reports highlight the effective and pivotal role of academic women in this context. They are considered decision-makers and influencers within society, possessing knowledge and skills that enable them to contribute significantly to achieving sustainable development. This contribution manifests through conducting applied scientific research targeting pressing developmental issues in Yemen, such as water, energy, agriculture, health, and others.
Women’s Role in Promoting Sustainable Development
Rosa Al-Khamri, an assistant professor at the Faculty of Law, emphasizes the significant role women play in promoting sustainable development. She highlights that the fifth Sustainable Development Goal emphasizes the need for equal opportunities for women and men in achieving equality in decision-making across political, economic, and public spheres. Furthermore, women’s participation is a developmental requirement for comprehensive and inclusive education.
She continues, “Women have not been able to achieve equal and effective participation and citizenship in Yemen. While they are present, their representation remains inadequate, even within academia. Consequently, women lack opportunities for empowerment, especially amidst ongoing conflicts.”
Rosa believes that women possess the potential to contribute significantly to various aspects of sustainable development in Yemen. However, the circumstances surrounding them hinder their ability to achieve their aspirations. Despite the presence of qualified and experienced female academics, their representation in leadership positions remains limited. No woman has held the presidency of a university, whether public or private. This lack of representation in academic leadership positions demonstrates the need for greater efforts in empowering women and ensuring their representation in decision-making roles.
She adds, “Women still face discrimination, a patriarchal culture, and stereotypical views, along with male dominance socially and culturally. Although women academics are respected, positions are often not given to them based on merit and the standards of law, regulations, and academic rules.”
She emphasizes the need for policies that define a comprehensive framework governing economic and social policies to ensure equal opportunities for all. This includes promoting equal opportunities for women to obtain leadership positions within academia. However, she acknowledges that “several women at the University of Aden and most Yemeni universities hold positions as deans, vice deans, and department heads.”
Sara Al-Sa’fani, a lecturer at the Faculty of Media, states, “Scientific research contributes to the production of knowledge and serves as a gateway to achieving academic degrees. This paves the way for an academic career aimed at promoting sustainable development by investing in student education at the higher education level. The role of academic women lies in leaving their mark on all scientific disciplines, both professionally and intellectually.”
She adds, “Every success story of a Yemeni woman paves the way for girls aspiring to pursue education and academic careers. The information and guidance provided to students represent community service and sustainable development of ideas and knowledge, in addition to the results and recommendations derived from their scientific studies.”
Diverse Contributions
Sala Al-Mikhlafi, a professor of sociology, believes that women play a vital role in research and the development of educational and academic processes. “Women are present in almost every department across various scientific and literary disciplines, whether applied or theoretical.”
She continues, “Many women have made significant contributions to colleges, universities, and academic activism. There are prominent figures who have been pioneers in this field, leading the way in positioning women in their rightful place. Additionally, many female academics have been actively involved in community initiatives, addressing issues such as violence against women, childhood, and humanitarian concerns. This demonstrates their significant influence on society.”
National and International Participation
Regarding international participation, Al-Khamri highlights the active involvement of numerous female academics in various international academic forums, making significant contributions through high-quality research. They have left their mark in numerous scientific and applied fields, aligning with their respective specializations, both locally and internationally including at local, national, and international conferences.
She adds, “All contributions made by women aim to address challenges and develop solutions for various issues. However, the key to maximizing their impact lies in effectively utilizing the findings of scientific, literary, medical, health, administrative, and institutional research within the institutional framework that supports development processes.”
A Pivotal and Supportive Role
Addressing the importance of women’s role in academia and its connection to supporting other disciplines, Sala Al-Mikhlafi emphasizes that women play a crucial role as partners to male academics across all fields and specializations. She notes that women even constitute the majority in certain disciplines.
Along similar lines, Sara Al-Sa’fani explains that the scientific field presents an intellectually competitive environment where gender is inconsequential. While men might have greater opportunities for employment due to societal norms, women can still succeed. This requires thorough preparation, active participation in the competitive landscape, and demonstrating their capabilities.
Regarding women assuming leadership positions, Sala Al-Mikhlafi highlights their prominent and influential presence in this domain. Female academics have attained various leadership roles, including college deans, department heads, and teaching assistants. They hold senior administrative positions within universities, although their representation remains limited compared to men. This is despite their administrative qualifications and proven competence, commitment, and ability to lead universities towards a successful and productive path.
Challenges and Difficulties
Despite the numerous challenges women face across various sectors, they continue to excel. Sala Al-Mikhlafi identifies the primary challenge confronting female academics as the limited and restrictive perspective prevalent throughout society.
Sara Al-Sa’fani emphasizes that while women hold positions of authority, they rarely attain roles where they are the primary decision-makers. She argues that academic degrees alone are not sufficient for empowering women to assume positions in Yemen where they can significantly contribute to the advancement of scientific research in sustainable development. This, she believes, constitutes the most significant challenge.
She continues, “Pursuing postgraduate studies is a mentally taxing experience for all researchers. It demands dedication, tranquility, and financial and emotional security. It is a physically and emotionally demanding phase. Given the lack of value placed on scientific research in Yemen, researchers must also prioritize self-preservation. This challenge is particularly pronounced for female academics who are also responsible for their families. Nevertheless, they navigate these responsibilities with competence and merit, fulfilling their potential.”
“The most significant obstacle faced by female academics in the realm of sustainable development is the dominance of men in positions of influence and decision-making,” states Rosa Al-Khamri. “Society struggles to accept women in leadership roles, limiting their access to important positions and favoring men for such roles. This marginalizes women, hindering their ability to fully contribute. Furthermore, the cultural bias embedded in customs, traditions, and norms works against women. However, they persistently strive to make a difference through their research, community engagement, and contributions to academia and education.”
Recommendations
Regarding potential solutions, Sara Al-Sa’fani believes that Yemeni women need opportunities, financial resources, and family support to thrive. She emphasizes the importance of raising awareness about the significance of basic education for women, as it empowers them with knowledge of their rights, enabling them to advocate for themselves and create opportunities for success. Academic education serves as recognition of their capabilities. Furthermore, highlighting the achievements of Yemeni women and their attainment of high-ranking positions and academic degrees can elevate societal awareness and inspire other women to persevere in their pursuits.
Sara points out that female academics can access numerous opportunities both regionally and internationally through the Internet. These opportunities encompass diverse and esteemed professional and educational avenues, offering platforms to contribute to the dissemination of knowledge on a wider scale.
Among the solutions proposed by Rosa Al-Khamri are promoting a balanced distribution of social roles within families, fostering a spirit of entrepreneurship and leadership among women, and developing their administrative skills within academia. Other recommendations include supporting women’s issues within society, empowering them politically, economically, and socially, and ensuring equal access to education for girls and boys within families.
She adds, “It is crucial to provide childcare options to ensure that working mothers have access to childcare services. Furthermore, we must enhance women’s participation in various fields, empower them in decision-making positions, guarantee a work environment characterized by equal opportunities and fair wages, and raise awareness among legislative authorities about the significance of empowering women in leadership roles.”
Rosa Al-Khamri emphasizes the importance of raising awareness to challenge stereotypical perceptions of women and encouraging women to support one another. She advocates for the advancement of academic work and the enhancement of its institutional mechanisms. Additionally, she believes in the importance of educating women about their professional and civil rights and strengthening legislation about equal opportunities and social justice.