Afrah Borji – Women in Development and Peace
In light of the challenges faced by Yemeni women due to the ongoing conflicts and their impact on all aspects of life, women’s success stories emerge that inspire generations and restore hope. One such story is that of Dr. Wahiba Fare’, who proved that education is the most powerful weapon a woman can possess.
From Al- Turba district of Taiz Governorate, Dr. Wahiba began her educational journey, reaching the highest academic ranks after obtaining a Bachelor of Arts, a Master’s degree, and a PhD in Educational Fundamentals and Educational Planning, thus becoming a role model for many Yemeni girls.
Dr. Wahiba Fari’ is a shining example of a Yemeni woman who has achieved great success in various fields. In addition to being the first Minister of Human Rights in Yemen, she founded Queen Arwa University and contributed significantly to the development of education and the advancement of women. She worked in teaching and administration and was actively engaged in social fields, as well as feminist and human rights activities, both domestically and internationally. She has authored numerous educational, political, and developmental books, including works on the role of women in Yemeni society.
Dr. Huda Omar Basaleem, a professor of community medicine and public health, is a shining example of an Arab woman working in science. She is the Vice Dean of the Graduate School at the University of Aden and the Director of the Cancer Registry and Research Center at the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences at the University of Aden. She has made significant contributions both nationally and internationally.
She is a prominent figure in the scientific and women’s fields, leaving a clear mark during her 20-year career. Her career is characterized by the diverse positions she has held at the national and international levels, reflecting her wide interest in many scientific and social issues.
Dr. Huda has held key leadership positions regionally and internationally, including Vice President of the Organization for Women in Science for the Developing World (OWSD) for the Arab region. She has worked as an expert at the World Health Organization (WHO) for the Eastern Mediterranean region and has served on the expert committee for non-communicable disease surveillance. She has also represented Yemen at numerous international forums, including membership on the advisory board of the UNESCO Network of Bioethics on Issues related to Arab Women. She has also served on the scientific boards of several research centers, such as the Center for Ethics in Science and Technology, and on the board of directors of the Women’s Center for Research and Training at the University of Aden.
Dr. Huda has published over 70 research papers in local, Arab, and international scientific journals and books from international publishing houses. She has also participated extensively in international, Arab, and local conferences, symposia, and workshops in the fields of public health, epidemiology, cancer control strategies, child and youth care, reproductive health, and women’s studies.
She is also a principal investigator and consultant for many international organizations, including the World Health Organization, UNICEF, the World Bank, the European Union, the International Organization for Migration, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Future Foundation, Soul Development Organization, Medical Field Foundation, and others.
A Positive Role in Achieving Academic Success
The contribution of Yemeni women to the development of academic education in the country is a story of struggle and perseverance. Despite the cultural and social challenges women have faced over the years, Yemeni women have managed to achieve great accomplishments in this field and have effectively contributed to raising the level of university education across the country.
Perhaps one of the most important roles that women have played in the development of academic education in Yemen is participation in teaching and scientific research. They have held teaching positions in various disciplines, contributed to the development of curricula, conducted numerous important scientific research studies in society, and founded many educational institutions, such as schools and universities. They have helped provide a suitable academic environment for male and female students, and participated in the development of educational policies at the national level, in addition to their prominent and influential role in raising awareness of the importance of education for girls and women, and urging them to continue their studies and enroll in universities.
The educational landscape in Yemen is witnessing significant transformations, with the role of women becoming increasingly prominent. In this regard, Dr. Hooria Al-Ghail emphasizes that women play a positive role in the development of educational programs, no less important than the role of men and that both genders have an active role in achieving development and developing educational programs in line with the labor market requirements.
Al-Ghail mentioned that many female cadres have had a positive role in academic work, such as Dr. Amat Al-Aleem Al-Souswa, who had an influential role in developing educational programs and left her clear mark in establishing the Gender Center at Sana’a University, from which many outstanding scientific cadres have graduated.
She also explained that female academic cadres play a pivotal role in shaping the future of society. Thanks to their extensive experience and diverse skills, they effectively contribute to building conscious societies capable of facing complex challenges in various economic, political, and social fields, and allow women to possess a great deal of skills, knowledge, and abilities that make them more flexible in achieving sustainable development for society.
Women’s Development in Various Fields
Many reports confirm that academic women are distinguished by their ability to analyze complex societal issues and propose innovative solutions. They also play a vital role in promoting dialogue and understanding between different segments of society. Their contributions are not limited to the academic field but extend to various sectors, making them essential partners in achieving sustainable development.
In the same context, Shrihan Mukrid, director of the Awareness and Environment Department at the Cleaning Fund, indicates that in recent years, Yemeni women have witnessed a remarkable development in their role and interaction in society. This is reflected in their active participation in writing and authoring at both the academic and technical levels to support and develop the educational process. They also work to identify and meet women’s needs by establishing institutions and initiatives that promote women’s empowerment and skills development.
Mukrid explains that the high percentage of women in postgraduate studies, such as Master’s and PhD degrees, reflects the extent of their development and keeping pace with global developments in the field of education and its quality, as well as the establishment of many women’s institutions and initiatives that work to support and develop women in various fields. These initiatives contribute to empowering women economically and socially and enhance their self-confidence and capabilities. In general, it appears that the role of women and their interaction in Arab society has developed remarkably in recent years in various disciplines, ranging from science and technology to humanities and social sciences.
Challenges
Yemeni women have made remarkable progress in the field of higher education, as they now hold prestigious academic positions in various universities and institutes. Despite the historical challenges they have faced, they have managed to break down many traditional barriers.
Dr. Hooria Al-Ghail explained that there are still some challenges facing Yemeni academic women, especially in some disciplines that require intensive fieldwork. Societal expectations and cultural norms may limit women’s ability to work in fields such as civil engineering and architecture, as they require dealing with workers and going to construction sites.
From the perspective of many Yemeni academics, the current challenges differ from those faced by previous generations. Today, women can access higher education and obtain the necessary academic qualifications, but they face new challenges related to reconciling the demands of academic work and family, in addition to the challenges associated with the political and economic environment in the country.
A report issued by the United Nations Development Program entitled “Yemeni Women: Leadership Towards the Future,” 2023 indicated that “the rate of access of women and girls to education reached 35%, while only 6% secure paid job opportunities. Women’s voices are often limited, with minimal presence at decision-making tables, and they hold only 4.1% of administrative and decision-making positions in Yemen.”
Also, a report entitled: “Women’s Education: The Key to Progress in Yemen,” 2024 indicated that there are recent statistics issued by the Yemeni Ministry of Education, in cooperation with the World Bank, which showed that the rate of girls’ enrollment in higher education in Yemen is very low; it is only 5.7%, compared to 18% for males, and this gap widens as the educational level increases.
Proposals to Enhance the Role of Academic Women
Yemeni women in academia face many challenges, but several solutions can be implemented to enhance their contributions and strengthen their role in society. These include encouraging them to pursue higher education and obtain advanced degrees, which increases their competence and contributes to their academic development, establishing support networks among Yemeni academics to share experiences and knowledge, and providing moral and practical support.
Other solutions include offering leadership training programs to develop the leadership skills of academic women, empowering them to assume leadership positions in academic institutions, creating a safe and stimulating work environment for academic women, providing the necessary facilities for them to effectively carry out their work, implementing clear policies for gender equality in appointment and promotion, ensuring fair representation of women on scientific committees and councils, and providing financial and logistical support to Yemeni researchers, encouraging them to participate in international conferences and scientific symposiums.
Ultimately, developing the contributions of Yemeni women in academia requires the combined efforts of all parties, from individuals to the government and international organizations.