Women in Development and Peace – Alia Mohammed
Rural women play a vital role in Yemeni society, contributing significantly to the development of rural communities. They are active partners in agricultural and productive work, demonstrating their capabilities in farming, livestock breeding, and transforming agricultural and animal products into commercial and economic goods that generate income.
Given the critical role of rural women in building the economy and promoting sustainable development, their economic empowerment is essential to increase their effective participation in economic advancement, enhance their role in achieving sustainable development, and improve the economic and social status of rural communities.
Small-scale agricultural and industrial projects are crucial tools for empowering rural women economically. These projects provide employment opportunities for many rural women, boost their financial income, and enhance their capacity to develop their businesses, improving their living standards and those of their families.
Rabab Sadiq, a trainer, and consultant in the economic empowerment of rural women, believes that rural women are the backbone of the country and a fundamental pillar for building and achieving sustainable development in rural communities, especially in light of the deteriorating conditions the country is experiencing. Many people have lost their salaries and livelihoods in cities, forcing them to return to their villages. Rural women have borne the brunt of the responsibility at home due to their work inside the house and in the fields. They have played a positive role and impact due to their expertise in agriculture and their extensive knowledge of various activities such as sewing, weaving, animal husbandry, and the production of animal products.
An Inspiring Story for Women
Al-Batool Abdallah is a shining example of a Yemeni woman who has carved a path to success and resilience in the field of agriculture. Her story serves as an inspiration to women facing difficulties in finding diverse job opportunities and living under the current circumstances.
Driven by the worsening conditions of her family, Al-Batool decided to take charge and utilize her father’s land as a source of income. “When the situation of my family deteriorated, I asked myself why I shouldn’t work in agriculture and invest in the land my father owns, turning it into a source of income for me and my family?” she recounts. “That’s when I took the first step by choosing the land and starting to plow, fertilize, and cultivate it.”
The initial steps were not easy for a young woman with no prior experience or knowledge of agriculture. However, Al-Batool was determined to start. She planted 262 tomato seedlings, unsure of planting schedules or tomato seasons. She didn’t expect the seedlings to grow readily, as her approach was random and unorganized. Yet, she was surprised to see the seedlings flourish.
Despite her lack of experience and knowledge, Al-Batool never neglected her land. She endured the hardship of fetching water to irrigate each seedling, as there were no water tanks for irrigation. Over the years, she faced numerous challenges and difficulties, receiving no advice or assistance from her fellow villagers. However, she never gave up. Instead, she used these challenges as opportunities for learning and growth. She sought out agricultural groups on WhatsApp, gaining valuable knowledge and connecting with experts and researchers in the field.
“I learned a lot from the groups I participated in,” she says. “I learned about the types of fertilizers and pesticides specific to the seedlings I was growing, and how to deal with climate changes that could affect them. All this was through my own efforts and with the support of some individuals.”
Al-Batool’s dedication and hard work were put to the test when her land faced a frost. Advised to cover the seedlings, she used plastic water containers, cutting them to cover the plants and protect them from the cold.
Undeterred by challenges, Al-Batool continued to work diligently, proving her capabilities to everyone. She decided to make agriculture her goal, not only to improve her family’s living conditions but also to bring about positive changes in the social, economic, and developmental aspects of her community.
Al-Batool implemented diverse agricultural methods on her farm, gaining experience and knowledge that increased her production and the quality of her crops. Over time, she successfully managed her farm, becoming a model for successful women farmers in agriculture and economics. Through her willpower, efficiency, strength, and hard work, she achieved her desire for economic empowerment, improving her income and that of her family.
Ways of Empowering Rural Women
The United Nations recognizes the interconnected relationship between rural women’s economic empowerment and sustainable livelihoods. They emphasize that economically empowered women are more likely to participate in climate-resilient agricultural strategies. Additionally, they can provide their families with care that relies on cleaner and more efficient resources and methods.
Regarding the most important means of economically empowering rural women, Nabeela Du’Du’ (an activist in the field of economic empowerment for rural women) says: “Rural women in Yemen face difficulties and challenges that hinder their economic empowerment. The most significant of these challenges include systematic marginalization by society and the difficulty in accessing basic services such as education and training. Therefore, effective measures must be taken to support and empower rural women, and to achieve sustainable development in rural areas.”
She also emphasized that rural women can be empowered, their role in rural communities can be enhanced, and sustainable development in rural areas can be achieved through several means. The most crucial among these is providing educational and training opportunities for rural women, enabling them to acquire the necessary skills to enter the workforce and participate in economic life. Encouraging women to receive vocational training is essential by offering programs that train rural women in various skills.
Nabeela further highlighted that rural women need access to resources and materials necessary for agriculture and livestock breeding to increase production. Therefore, financial support and necessary funding should be provided to rural women to start developing their small projects and implementing artisanal and agricultural facilities through loans and financial grants.
She emphasized the importance of having laws that ensure the rights of rural women and protect them from discrimination, violence, and exploitation. Additionally, educating rural women about their rights, promoting gender equality awareness, encouraging their active participation in community decisions, and establishing cooperative networks and associations contribute to enhancing their role in rural communities.
In a connected context, Rabab Sadiq emphasized the importance of developing thought to support rural women. She highlighted the transition from individual projects to collaborative endeavors, where women come together to establish small factories and workshops. This approach aims to enhance their financial capacity and competitiveness in both local and international markets.
Rural women play a crucial role across various economic sectors. They can engage in manufacturing and production, which often involves setting up small factories in rural areas. Their presence contributes significantly to community dynamics. For instance, a considerable number of rural women are involved in henna production. The henna production process starts with cultivation, followed by harvesting, grinding, packaging, and distribution, both domestically and internationally.
Organizing work in such projects involves gathering female producers in specialized henna factories. This arrangement has a positive impact on financial empowerment and improves local product quality. Rural women require financial support and professional training across various fields, whether it’s sewing, agriculture, or other endeavors. Equipping them with the necessary skills for project management ensures high-quality work.
Furthermore, rural women are essential pillars supporting the national economy. By promoting local markets in rural areas, they contribute to the consumption of products like vegetables, fruits, textiles, and pottery. Sharpening the skills of rural women in manufacturing, animal husbandry, and packaging, and introducing them to new agricultural technologies makes them fertile ground for entrepreneurial ventures.
Challenges and Solutions
Rural women constitute a significant proportion of the rural population and serve as the backbone of the rural economy. They play a crucial role in building the national economy. However, they face substantial challenges due to economic, social, and security conditions. These challenges hinder their active participation in economic development.
Balqees Hasan, the owner of a clothing tailoring project, states, “Rural women encounter difficulties and obstacles that impact their economic empowerment. These challenges include limited access to education, scarcity of economic and social opportunities, and the influence of customs and traditions. Often, rural women struggle to access suitable economic opportunities and decent jobs due to inadequate training and insufficient funding for establishing their own projects. These factors reduce their chances of achieving economic success and prosperity.”
In her discussion, she highlights essential solutions and interventions necessary for the economic empowerment of rural women: Providing Support and Necessary Funding: Rural women need financial assistance to build and develop their small-scale economic projects. Attracting investments to rural areas and supporting women-led projects are critical steps. Encouraging Effective Participation: Policies and programs should encourage active participation of rural women in decision-making processes. Empowering them economically and socially is essential.
In conclusion, we must all recognize that the economic empowerment of rural women has positive impacts on Yemeni society. It enhances their role and contributes to achieving economic growth, and therefore, it is imperative to work collaboratively with all relevant and supportive stakeholders to provide appropriate and necessary opportunities to target and empower rural women economically.