Women in Development and Peace – Yasmine Abdulhafeez
Nisreen Qashima, a strong woman from Tihama, managed to overcome the restrictions imposed by society on many ambitious girls who have a passion for working in fields traditionally seen as exclusive to men, such as media.
Nisreen, born in Al-Sukhna directorate in Al-Hodeidah Governorate, joined the College of Fine Arts at Al-Hodeidah University, specializing in the Radio and Television Arts department. Married and a mother of two, Kinan and Firas.
Nisreen works in various fields, including photography and directing. Her journey began after graduating from university in 2017, working in event documentation such as weddings, graduation parties, birthdays, and other occasions.
Nisreen loves the camera, considering it her weapon and favorite hobby, striving to keep up with all the latest developments and benefit from the success of pioneers in the field of photography to develop her skills and enhance her talent.
She faced many challenges since considering joining the Radio and Television department at her university, but her determination helped her successfully overcome them. Her father initially did not approve of her entering this field, considering it unprofitable and unimportant, and chose for her to study medicine instead.
Nisreen said: “Out of obedience to my father, I went to register in the medicine department but did not pass the entrance exam. I told him about it and said that I would return to register in the Radio and Television department, but he refused again. However, my brother was a supporter and promised to stand by me and support me financially. At that moment, I felt hopeful that I would achieve my dream that has been with me since childhood.”
She added: “My father saw my joining this department as a waste of time, thinking that I would graduate without any benefit, and did not provide any significant support. However, his perspective changed as soon as he saw me start working, benefitting financially, and achieving the great success talked about by others. He then realized that he had misjudged my choice of this specialization, allowing my sister to join the same field without hesitation.”
She continued: “Media has been my ambition since childhood. In school, I constantly presented the school radio and participated in acting in the plays we presented during celebrations and morning assemblies. My passion grew over the years, and here I am achieving many of the desires that I have always sought to fulfill.”
Nisreen has created a Facebook page called Nisreen Media and chosen the phrase “My lens captures your achievements and memories with precision and passion” as its slogan. She has been involved in producing numerous success stories for local organizations, as well as participating in various media coverages. Additionally, she has acted in several graduation projects for Radio and Television Department graduates at the Faculty of Fine Arts, and has also appeared in several Yemeni TV series.
More recently, Nisreen has been involved in directing several television productions, including music videos that reflect the reality of women in Tihama, particularly young girls who suffer from marginalization and struggle to claim their rights, such as access to education. She highlights issues like early marriage and female genital mutilation, according to her conviction.
Nisreen says, “The suffering of the women of Tihama and its girls did not stop at these problems. Educated women are also deprived of their right to hold administrative and executive positions and to participate in decision-making. Like others, they have ambitions, goals, and hopes that must be helped to achieve.”
She adds, “I no longer aspire for women in Tihama to hold administrative and leadership positions; men themselves in Tihama still suffer from marginalization in many state positions, rarely obtaining them. How can a woman obtain this right, when it has become almost impossible?”
Nisreen believes that empowering women in Tihama requires several steps, including intensifying awareness of the importance of women holding positions and jobs, in addition to obliging the state to allocate a certain percentage related to the appointment of women in Tihama in government institutions.
Struggle, Determination & Companionship
Alawi Al-Haddad, Nisreen’s husband, says, “I met Nisreen at university, when we were students in the Radio and Television Department. We spent four years together, during which Nisreen proved to be a strong, patient, and hardworking girl. She lived a very difficult family life due to her parents’ separation while she was still young. She used to work alongside her studies to cover her expenses and needs, with her brother Anwar being her biggest supporter and encourager to study.”
He adds, “I was very impressed by Nisreen, she is intelligent, social, and strong. Despite all the circumstances and difficulties that she faces, the smile never leaves her face. After graduation, Nisreen was able to work with several government entities, especially in the face of conditions that force women to stay at home, and she proved to everyone that women are capable of working and succeeding. She is a mother of two, yet she is a very successful and practical person.”
Alawi explains that Nisreen has many artistic achievements; she directed the “Tihama Folklore” program on YouTube, participated in directing several music videos, and participated in Ramadan TV series. She also worked for international organizations in the media aspect, documenting projects and creating success stories. He emphasizes, “I am very proud of Nisreen, and I hope she continues to pursue her dreams and become an international media ambassador, and I will always be her supporter and advocate.”
Her Life
Nisreen says that with the arrival of her second child (Firas), she faced great pressure due to her work. However, she is trying to overcome this challenge by balancing her role at home and her job. Without the help of one of her relatives to take care of her children while she works, her struggles would have multiplied. She adds, “I have great appreciation and respect for my sister-in-law Warda, because she stands by me a lot when I go to work, taking care of my children until I return.”
Nisreen explains that working women find it difficult to balance their work and family responsibilities, but she is determined to put in a great effort. She says, “Being occupied with my work is better than leaving my children to suffer from a lack of basic needs, especially with the harsh financial conditions that many families are facing. Women are forced to bear more than they can handle, especially if they are mothers.”
She emphasizes that her husband eases her struggles in balancing her family and work. Despite this, she still suffers from the inability to balance caring for her children and handling some tasks outside the home, which generates feelings of dissatisfaction and instability for her. Nevertheless, she strives to provide a decent life for her children. She aspires to study political science and hold a high position in a ministry or embassy in the future, despite the current discouraging circumstances.
She was Described as…
Ali Maghribi Al-Ahdal, a poet, writer, and researcher in the fields of language, history, heritage, and folklore in Tihama, speaks highly of Nisreen, stating, “I personally am very proud of my sister, Ms. Nisreen Qashima. She is the first from my country and my region, and we both belong to the same directorate, which is a source of pride and honor for me.”
He continues, “In her cultural and media field, Nisreen represents a model of the ambitious and persevering Yemeni Tihama girl, despite all the difficulties she faces. What caught my attention and increased my pride in her is her cheerful demeanor, her ethics, and her constant confident steps in highlighting herself, and her ambition as a Tihama girl and a media figure in representing the aspirations of Yemeni women in the media, artistic, and creative fields.”
Nisreen Qashima’s constant presence in the cultural scene is evident in many artistic and creative works, as well as in her support for young talents and her role in highlighting certain works. Her collaboration with Mr. Alawi Al-Haddad and the rest of the team in filming the duet music video “Aazmooli,” for which I wrote the lyrics, with the artist Abdu Al-Shara’i and Saga Ahmad, with Nisreen directing the work, brings me great joy.
The work discusses aspects of the expatriate’s suffering, his situation, the conditions of his family and children during his absence, and his struggle with circumstances. Nisreen has left her mark and presence in many artistic works and cultural events. I commend her and applaud her perseverance, confidence, aspirations, and ambitions, which reflect the struggle of the Tihama woman in particular, and the Yemeni woman in general, and her aspirations and presence in the field of creativity, life, and work. My best wishes to her for happiness, success, and further contributions and creativity.
Media professional Rana Al-Hubaishi describes Nisreen as a creative and distinguished photographer in her work, and the positive feedback from her clients is evidence of that. She enjoys sharing information with others and readily provides assistance to anyone who requests it, without hesitation or reservation.
Nisreen is a straightforward person who does not like flattery, nor does she hoard information for herself. Many times, I consulted Nisreen on various matters related to photography, and she never hesitated to help me. She gave me sufficient time and explained many things to me. I admire Nisreen greatly; she is a colleague, a sister, and I am grateful to her, and she has my utmost appreciation and respect.
On the other hand, writer Muhammad Al-Shamiri believes that writing about the success of Tihama women is worthy of publication to enhance the presence of others and break the isolation and frustration they may feel. He believes that this is what Nisreen Qashima has done by venturing into fields that have been predominantly male-dominated, or more precisely, available to those who have moved to other cities like the capital, Sana’a.
He continues, stating that anyone who learns about her background, her work, and her unlimited boldness in photography, directing, and artistic supervision, realizes the importance of her role, commends her perseverance, and confirms the positivity of the model she presents. He adds that many of the creators and successful individuals in Tihama were unable to achieve their dreams due to various circumstances, including the lack of suitable opportunities to realize their ambitions. Many who left Tihama were able to achieve their goals and attain fame and success.
Nisreen Qashima has achieved numerous successes and aspirations and continues to strive for the highest levels of success. Her good nature and high ethics have earned her the love of others.