Yasmine Abdulhafeez – Women in Development and Peace
Yemeni women continue to demonstrate their ability to excel and innovate in various fields, including sports. With determination and passion, many Yemeni female athletes have overcome numerous obstacles and achieved remarkable local and international accomplishments.
Therefore, it is essential to work towards enhancing Yemeni women’s participation in the sports sector by providing government support, raising awareness, breaking down family restrictions, changing societal perceptions, providing training and development opportunities, encouraging women to join sports federations, providing a safe environment for practicing sports, and learning from the experiences of other countries
Like many other sectors in the country, the Yemeni sports sector has suffered significant deterioration for a long time. The armed conflicts that have plagued Yemen have exacerbated this decline, leading to widespread destruction of sports infrastructure and an almost complete halt to sports activities and events. However, in recent years, positive signs have begun to emerge for the revival of Yemeni sports and the return of spirit to the stadiums.
Policies that Promote Women’s Participation in Sports
“Women have historically played a prominent role in the sports field. Yemeni women have participated as players, administrators, and officials in many local, international, and Arab sporting events, and have achieved remarkable accomplishments. Despite these achievements, they still face many challenges that hinder their active participation in the sports field, represented by customs, traditions, and negative perceptions,” said Khalid Al-Nawari, Secretary General of the Yemeni Sports Media Association.
He emphasized the importance of a real revolution to change the negative perceptions that restrict women’s participation in the sports field and allow them to realize their full potential, especially since Yemeni women have very high capabilities, whether in administrative or technical matters or many sports fields.
He pointed out that experiences prove that many distinguished female cadres have presented a positive image of the role of women in sports in Yemen, citing the example of Nadhmia Abdul-Salam, who held the position of President of the Yemeni Women’s Sports Federation and the position of Chairperson of the Board of Directors of the Youth Care and Development Fund. She was also an international chess player and achieved great achievements, surpassing many male athletes, both athletically and administratively. Many other female athletes have left their mark in various sports, such as judo, table tennis, etc.
In his interview with Women in Development and Peace newspaper, Al-Nawari explained that many Yemeni female athletes have emerged in various games and achieved great achievements in international forums. Among these stars is Nada Al-Ahdal, who participated in many international tournaments and achieved positive results, and other stars in chess, volleyball, and athletics, who participated in Arab and Asian championships, and even in the Olympic Games.
Al-Nawari mentioned that there are Yemeni female cadres who hold important leadership positions in the sports field, such as Hana Al-Alawi, who reached the position of Deputy Minister in the Ministry of Youth and Sports. However, despite these achievements, many Yemeni female athletes are still looking for an opportunity to showcase their abilities and prove their skills in the sports field, whether in terms of qualification, training, refereeing, or even in the administrative field.
He explained that the Yemeni Sports Media Association played a sporting role in empowering women in this field by opening the door for them to join and obtain membership. In the past, there were only one or two women in the association, such as Amira Bahaidan from Abyan Governorate and Wahiba Al-Bahri from Taiz Governorate. Thanks to the association’s efforts, the number of female members has increased significantly to reach about sixty female sports media professionals, and graduates of media colleges, some of whom are already practicing journalism. The members underwent training and qualification programs in the field of sports journalism.
He said: “I hope that the Ministry of Youth and Sports, and the rest of the sports federations, bodies, frameworks, and clubs, will work to empower women in sports and support them in this vital role, especially since the youth sector is full of activities and events, and requires helping girls alongside their brothers alike, and breaking the stereotypical image that restricts women and limits their effective participation.”
Safa Yusuf, a member of the Board of Directors of the Yemeni Sports Media Association, asserts that the first step in enhancing women’s participation in the sports sector is to activate and revitalize the Women’s Sports Federation. She pointed out that the role of the federation is currently absent, and it should focus on spreading the culture of practicing women’s sports in schools, universities, and clubs, confronting customs and traditions that prevent women from practicing sports, and holding educational seminars to promote the culture of practicing sports among girls at an early age.
She believes it’s crucial to highlight the success stories of prominent female athletes who have made an impact on the Yemeni sports scene. These figures can serve as inspiring role models for young girls starting their athletic journeys. Additionally, establishing partnership mechanisms with sports clubs is essential to encourage and support girls’ participation without discrimination.
The Role of Awareness
Yusuf emphasizes, “Culture and awareness regarding the importance of women’s participation in sports are crucial. The media plays a vital role in promoting sports culture within society. However, women’s sports suffer from inadequate media coverage. Several reasons contribute to women’s reluctance to engage in sports, including the lack of family and societal support for girls’ athletic endeavors. Furthermore, the media itself often overlooks its responsibility to provide guidance, awareness, and support, neglecting to dedicate programs specifically to women’s sports.”
She continues, “Adding to the aforementioned challenges, there’s a deficiency in the role of the Ministry of Youth and Sports, federations, and clubs. These entities should prioritize activities and tournaments targeting young girls within their plans and programs. Moreover, women themselves might contribute to this issue by remaining isolated, practicing sports discreetly, and shying away from interviews and media appearances.”
Also, several solutions are suggested to restore women’s sports to their former glory: encourage the media to spotlight women’s participation in sports as a vital aspect of social and personal life, dedicating space across visual, print, audio, and electronic media to cover women’s sports and inspire girls to engage in athletic activities, and launching a monthly sports magazine dedicated to women’s sports, empowering women as writers and editors in this field.
She highlights that while Yemeni women have achieved significant progress in various sectors like politics, law, and medicine, they continue to strive for full recognition in sports. This struggle persists amidst resistance from inherited customs and traditions, as well as disapproval from some religious figures. Despite the commendable achievements of Yemeni female athletes on local and international platforms, societal forces attempt to push them back under the guise of tradition.
She recalls that during the 1970s and early 1980s, numerous Yemeni female athletes participated in international competitions and games, achieving significant success and winning numerous gold medals. Notable figures include Naila Nasr Abbas, who held the Arab championship in individual and doubles table tennis for 12 years. Magda Abdul-Majeed, the first Arab champion to win a gold medal in football. Fatima Muhammad Nasir, the Arab champion in the ninth Arab Volleyball Championship in Jordan. These names represent just a few of the many remarkable women who have earned gold medals.