Ahmed Bajoaim – Women in Development and Peace
Yemeni women in the diaspora are a key engine of economic development, both locally and internationally. They have played a pivotal role alongside men in promoting the country’s economic growth through their active contributions to global labor markets and remittances that significantly support families and local communities. This has been especially crucial since the outbreak of the conflict, which has seen the local economy plummet, unemployment rates soar, and families’ struggle. Yemeni women abroad have helped improve the situation of many families and boosted the national economy with hard currency. All of this represents a vital contribution made by these women to the country’s economic development.
This report explores the role of Yemeni women in the diaspora in economic development. These women have proven their ability to achieve great things, not only on a personal level but also on a societal level in their home country. They have become catalysts for social and economic change. This report will also highlight the valuable contributions made by Yemeni women abroad, showcasing how they have overcome obstacles and contributed to the development of the societies in which they have settled. Additionally, we will address the challenges they face and explore strategies to overcome them, aiming to achieve sustainable development.
Their Economic Role
The official Facebook page for “Yemeni women in diaspora” highlights the numerous achievements of Yemeni women in various fields across different countries, with economic achievements featuring prominently among these successes. A report titled “Success Stories of Yemeni Women in Finance and Business in America – 2022” features Yemeni women who have established themselves economically in their adopted countries. One such example is Ms. Amal Al-Audi, the founder and CEO of AUDIA, a cosmetics and skincare company. AUDIA products have made inroads into American, Canadian, and several European and Arab markets. It has also pioneered skincare technology, with the innovation now being taught at Skyline College.
Amal Al-Audi, a prominent businesswoman, stands as a shining example of Yemeni women thriving in the diaspora. She embodies resilience, carving a path of success and exceeding expectations. Not only has she established a thriving company, but her groundbreaking innovation is now being taught at leading universities worldwide. Her company’s products have made significant inroads into global markets, undoubtedly generating substantial economic returns that will further empower Yemeni women in business abroad. This success story holds the promise of positively impacting her homeland in various ways.
The report from “Yemeni women in diaspora” didn’t stop there with its stories of success. Businesswoman Anisa Muthanna has also made a name for herself, embodying the spirit of pioneering Yemeni women. Anisa, an American of Yemeni descent, owns and operates Pioneer Service Inc., a factory specializing in “steel cutting, production of thick materials, aluminum, brass, carbon steel, and stainless steel.” These materials are used in a wide range of industries, most notably aircraft, automotive, engineering equipment, and more. While she resides in California, USA, her roots trace back to Yafi’ in southern Yemen.
The report further highlighted that Anisa has received numerous awards for her factory’s excellence. In 2017, she was honored with the Woman Business Award and the Business Orads Award. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Anisa’s factory played a crucial role by supplying steel parts used in hospitals dedicated to combating the virus.
Female Economic Role Models
In a similar vein, entrepreneur Fatima Bin Thabit, residing in Egypt since 2014, shared her story. She managed a successful tailoring workshop in Egypt, achieving remarkable success in the fashion industry. Fatima’s talent lies in creating modern designs that cater to her clients’ tastes. Her workshop employs several women, including fellow Yemenis, providing them with income and contributing to their families’ economic well-being.
Fatima noted that the significant increase in the Yemeni community in Egypt played a crucial role in the growth and development of her business. Yemeni women in the diaspora prefer her modern designs and traditional Yemeni attire, which constitute a significant portion of her products.
“Yemeni women abroad who invest in economic ventures play a crucial role in improving the lives of their families both inside and outside Yemen through remittances,” Fatima explains. “These contributions, which enhance their families’ living standards, have a positive effect on the local economy and improve the economic conditions of many Yemeni families.”
A petroleum engineering specialist, who preferred to remain anonymous for personal reasons, shared her experience after leaving Yemen in 2021 and settling in Somalia. She established a customer service company, stating, “Although this venture is far removed from my academic specialization, I have achieved progressive success over the past three years.” She emphasized that her company has created employment opportunities for young Yemeni men and women through online platforms, improving their financial situations and developing their skills. “It wasn’t easy being in a foreign country and working in a field different from my specialization,” she admits. “My relatives living in Somalia provided invaluable moral support.”
She continues, “There are numerous opportunities for women to pursue entrepreneurship abroad, particularly in more stable and developed countries.” She highlights that a driving force for women in the diaspora is to improve their own lives and the lives of their families back in Yemen, free from social norms and traditions that restrict women’s economic participation. “Women have made significant contributions outside their homeland, and many continue to strive towards improving their families’ economic well-being by sending remittances,” she explains. “All of this contributes to the country’s economic development, even if in a small way, considering the current situation in Yemen, where the national economy has been severely impacted.”
Challenges and Difficulties
Fatima Bin Thabit points out that she faced several challenges at the beginning of her journey, particularly with local regulations in the host country, which initially hindered her business operations. The lack of adequate guarantees for business licensing and connecting with suppliers posed additional hurdles, briefly delaying the launch of her project.
She acknowledges that women abroad often lack the support network of friends and family, both emotionally and financially. However, she emphasizes that determination, perseverance, and building strong relationships after starting her business, along with unwavering encouragement from her limited circle of friends, helped her overcome these challenges.
“Challenges are always more prevalent in the early stages,” Fatima explains. “Today, my business has a solid customer base, and from an economic standpoint, it has achieved varying degrees of profit. There were initial struggles and occasional minor losses. Now, after nearly 10 years of hard work and experience, the business generates substantial profits and employs numerous women, both Egyptian and Yemeni, enabling them to improve their living conditions and support their families.”
The petroleum engineering specialist adds, “The biggest challenge for women in the diaspora is creating a business that’s completely different from their scientific field. This is due to the ongoing conflict in Yemen, which has led to a lack of work for young people in their fields. On top of that, the environment changes from one country to another, and it takes time to adapt. A customer service business needs a customer database and solutions, which adds another layer of challenge to the project. How do you provide all these requirements, consistently deliver high quality, and compete in another country? Once the business is launched, performance will improve significantly over time.”
Recommendations and Solutions
Bin Thabit believes that one of the most important recommendations to help women in the diaspora economically is for Yemeni embassies and consulates to follow up with them, provide support and professional training, and work to solve the obstacles they face in their work. This is because they contribute to improving Yemen’s economic development, either by sending remittances and taking advantage of foreign currency, or by providing job opportunities for Yemeni youth abroad.
She explained that focusing on women migrants is not just for their personal benefit. Yemeni women and men investing abroad provide hard currency to a country desperately in need of boosting its collapsing economy.
Despite the many challenges facing Yemeni women in the diaspora, there are female role models who, with their determination and ability to adapt, have achieved tangible positive results. They have done this by securing the resources they need in their host countries, which has contributed to their vital role in strengthening local and international economies. Supporting and recognizing their contributions by official bodies is an important step towards achieving sustainable and inclusive development for the country.