Alia Mohammed – Women in Development and Peace
Many women in Yemeni society haven’t enjoyed active participation in sports until after facing numerous challenges due to the nature and environment of the local community. This community is known for its conservatism and adherence to customs and traditions that grant only men the right to participate in sporting activities.
Despite the cultural, social, and economic challenges facing women’s sports in Yemen, there are many inspiring examples of Yemeni female athletes who have achieved great accomplishments both locally and internationally. This report sheds light on the overall challenges and difficulties from a societal perspective.
Limited Opportunities and Scarcity of Resources
Alaa bin Ayyash, a sports reporter, believes that Yemeni women are essential partners in the national sports fabric. Their role is not limited to participation only; they are a symbol of resilience, challenge, and breaking barriers. Through their participation in sports, Yemeni women prove their ability to improve their physical and mental health, enhance their self-confidence, and empower themselves to actively participate in various aspects of life.
He added, “The Yemeni sports arena is witnessing wide participation of women in various games, such as table tennis, badminton, chess, athletics, weightlifting, gym, karate, and tennis. They have participated in multiple sports championships.” He points out that despite the immense potential of Yemeni women in the field of sports, they face many challenges and difficulties that hinder their progress and development.
Ayyash mentioned that the most prominent challenges facing Yemeni women in the field of sports are: lack of support for women’s sports centers and clubs from governmental and private entities; lack of dedicated sports facilities; shortage of qualified trainers to train women in various sports; insufficient rehabilitation and training centers for women wishing to pursue sports professionally; weak media coverage of women’s sports activities; harassment; and interference in some sports activities, including football.
In the same context, Nawal Waris, Head of the Women’s Sports Committee in Aden Governorate, confirmed the depth of these challenges, explaining that women in Yemeni society face significant difficulties in practicing sports, especially in light of the difficult conditions that Yemen is going through.
She pointed out that the women’s sports sector in Yemen suffers from limited resources, lack of budgets, limited funding, and insufficient financial support for women’s sports teams and clubs. This hinders their ability to participate in local and international championships.
She also emphasized that great efforts are being made to overcome these challenges, including the continuation of women’s sports championships in various games, such as volleyball, futsal, chess, and athletics. Efforts are also being made to activate female athletes in clubs, according to the available capabilities and support provided by the governorate and the Ministry of Youth and Sports.
Societal Constraints
Women in Yemen still face many challenges and difficulties that hinder them from pursuing their dreams and practicing their sporting hobbies, some internal and some external. Among the most prominent internal challenges facing Yemeni women in the field of sports are societal views and family disapproval.
The story of Aisha Muhammad, one of the girls who couldn’t join equestrian sports, clearly embodies this challenge. She says, “I grew up in a conservative family that barely allowed girls to get an education and relied heavily on what is imposed according to customs and traditions. I couldn’t convince my family to fulfill my dream of horseback riding due to their complete rejection of women joining sports, considering their activities to be exclusive to men.”
Despite these challenges, many Yemeni women are determined to excel and achieve accomplishments in various sports. Sahar Al-Mahjari, a player on the national archery team, is a prime example of this.
Speaking about her sporting experience, Sahar says, “I’ve been involved in sports since childhood. At school, I loved playing sports like tennis, table tennis, and volleyball. Sports for me are not just a physical activity; it’s a passion and a continuous love because it’s an outlet for a person.” She added, “I joined the Yemeni women’s archery team in 2014. I had a great passion for this sport, and this passion pushed me to continue and develop.”
Sahar’s efforts were not in vain. She has achieved many distinguished achievements, including participating in six championships, winning second and third place in five of them, and achieving first place in the last world-ranking championship.
Regarding the challenges facing Yemeni women in participating in sports activities, Sahar says, “Yemeni society is conservative by nature and does not accept women engaging in various sports activities, restricting them to men only. This is one of the most significant obstacles and difficulties facing women.”
However, Sahar did not succumb to these challenges but faced them with determination and resolve. She emphasizes that sports and participation in its activities are a woman’s right due to the significant role it plays in improving physical and mental health, boosting women’s self-confidence, and empowering them to participate actively in various aspects of life. She stresses the importance of providing women’s training halls, dedicating resources, and directing them appropriately to ensure that women’s talents are preserved and utilized correctly.
Solutions and Treatments
The responsibility for eliminating the challenges and difficulties hindering Yemeni women’s participation in various sports activities falls on everyone’s shoulders: individuals, governments, and the private sector. This can be achieved by striving to provide sufficient support for women’s sports centers and clubs, building more sports facilities dedicated to women, organizing sports events, and offering awareness programs on the importance of sports. Additionally, encouraging women to join sports federations and clubs is essential.