Hebah Mohammed – Women in Development and Peace

 

Within the heart of every society, the threads of tradition and values are intertwined with the aspirations of modern healthcare. In Yemen, this interplay is visible in the interaction of social and cultural factors that govern society’s acceptance of healthcare for women. Social pressures, family involvement, and the need to promote cultural awareness are points of conflict and interaction that determine the extent of women’s integration into the healthcare system.

This complex issue deserves careful dissection and a comprehensive analysis of the factors affecting society’s acceptance of providing necessary healthcare for women. By understanding the depth of social pressures, the role of family intervention, and the importance of promoting cultural awareness, we can paint a clearer picture of the challenges facing women’s healthcare in this unique Yemeni context.

 

Social and Cultural Factors

In the context of women’s healthcare, social and cultural factors intricately intertwine to determine the extent of societal acceptance and commitment to meeting women’s healthcare needs. This includes social pressures, family intervention, and cultural awareness as key factors influencing that acceptance.

Dr. Zahra Al-Suswa, a reproductive health specialist, says: “In Yemeni culture, women are primarily responsible for the family and home, which may limit their access to healthcare. Being busy with housework and children may delay or prevent women from getting the care they need.”

She points out that social restrictions in some Yemeni communities may restrict women’s movement, hindering their access to necessary healthcare, especially if health centers are far away or staffed by male healthcare workers. This also includes barriers related to social customs, such as the need for male accompaniment.

She emphasizes that the high illiteracy rate among women in Yemen leads to a lack of health awareness, meaning women may not know the importance of regular healthcare or how to access it. Some traditional beliefs may encourage reliance on home remedies or elders instead of seeking modern healthcare.

She also noted that gender discrimination in Yemeni society affects health priorities; healthcare for men may be prioritized over women. This may be reflected in family priorities when making decisions related to health and spending on medical care.

She mentions that some religious and cultural beliefs may lead to hesitation in accepting certain types of healthcare, such as reproductive or mental health care. There are also reservations about using contraception or giving birth in hospitals instead of at home.

This was confirmed by Iman Abdullah, who suffers from epilepsy. Her condition often causes her to fall and lose consciousness for hours. Many people advised her parents to avoid hospitals and health centers, resorting instead to alternative medicine and herbal treatments, as well as visiting religious scholars to escape the high hospital costs.

Dr. Samar Abdul-Fattah added: “Political and economic conditions affect the provision of healthcare in general, but women bear the greatest burden due to the impact of poverty on their ability to access health facilities, especially in rural areas.”

Rihab, a woman in her thirties, faced her fate alone with a sudden brain tumor. She says: “I live with a very poor family that can barely afford the necessities of life. I’m the only girl among four children. Because of the difficult economic circumstances, my family didn’t have the opportunity to pay attention to my deteriorating health. They only provide care for my younger brothers, who are considered the family’s support in the future. Years later, I was surprised to find out I have cancer.”

She emphasizes that family and community support can either enhance or hinder a woman’s ability to access necessary healthcare. If the family believes in its importance, it may encourage the woman to seek treatment.

According to Dr. Samar Abdul-Fattah, the way health information is presented and how healthcare providers communicate with women can be influenced by cultural values, affecting women’s acceptance of services. Some religious beliefs may influence how society views healthcare; some medical procedures may be considered religiously unacceptable.

 

Family Intervention

Family involvement can have both positive and negative impacts on a woman’s access to healthcare. Samar Abdul-Fattah points out that, on the positive side, family members can provide emotional support and encourage women to seek care, boosting their confidence in making health decisions.

She adds, “Family members can help with access to healthcare facilities, whether by providing transportation or accompanying them to clinics, and also by spreading accurate health information, helping women understand the importance of healthcare and disease prevention. Family support for girls’ education leads to increased health awareness and encourages women to make informed health choices.”

Regarding the negative impacts of family involvement, Al-Suswa notes that negative beliefs and traditions within the family affect women’s perception of health. Some health problems may be considered “shameful” or stigmatized, and some families may adopt discriminatory attitudes that prevent women from seeking healthcare, restricting their movement and rights.

She regrets that many women face pressure from family members not to see doctors or avoid certain medical procedures, negatively impacting their health. Men may even make health decisions, limiting women’s ability to make their own choices.

She concludes, “The impact of family involvement depends on the nature of family relationships and the values they hold. When a family adopts a supportive stance and understands the importance of healthcare, the intervention is positive. However, when cultural beliefs or gender roles impose restrictions, family involvement can be negative, preventing women from receiving necessary care.”

Professor of medical sociology, Mahmood Al-Bukari, also believes that the family plays a significant role, both positive and negative, in ensuring a woman’s healthcare, depending on educational level, degree of urbanization, and economic and living standards. He emphasizes that many families are becoming aware of the importance of women’s healthcare, whether by ensuring regular doctor visits, especially during pregnancy and childbirth, following correct methods, or through proper nutrition, family planning, and assisting women with tasks affecting their physical and mental health.

 

Traditional Customs and Practices

Al-Bukari states, “The system of social customs and traditions still significantly impacts health and illness in Yemeni society due to widespread illiteracy and a lack of health awareness among the community in general and women in particular. Women are often not seen as having the right to full healthcare and attention, especially during pregnancy, as this is considered pampering or spoiling that ruins a woman’s life.”

He points out that social customs and traditions require women to be tough, enduring hardship and fatigue, both in their family and marital homes. Evidence of this includes rapid and continuous childbearing without considering any health risks to the woman.

He confirms that some Yemeni regions consider this essential for a woman, as a “prolific woman,” meaning one who bears many children and can endure the hardships and risks. Furthermore, this system of social customs and traditions dictates that women only eat what’s left over from the men’s food, as if they aren’t human beings needing proper nutrition like men.

 

Cultural Awareness

Lots of researchers in social sciences and medicine say that boosting awareness about women’s healthcare is a must, especially in a place like Yemen where traditions really limit women’s access to care.

Dr. Samar Abdul-Fattah suggests organizing workshops and awareness talks about women’s health, covering things like reproductive health, pregnancy, and disease prevention. She also says it’s important to get local leaders and influential people on board to spread the word, making it easier to reach everyone.

She adds that setting up health centers with full services for women would make a big difference and that healthcare workers need ongoing training on how to deal with women’s health issues sensitively and effectively.

 

The Challenges

A 2019 UNICEF report showed that less than 50% of births in Yemen happen with skilled healthcare professionals—that shows just how huge the health challenges are for women and children there. Reports also reveal a horrifying fact: a mother and six newborns die every two hours in Yemen because of complications that could be avoided with proper medical care.

According to the UN Population Fund’s 2024 report on the humanitarian situation in Yemen, about 17.8 million people need healthcare support. Of these, about 5.5 million are women of reproductive age facing difficulties accessing reproductive health services. Around 2.7 million pregnant and breastfeeding women are expected to need treatment for severe malnutrition. The reality is that only one in five health facilities in the country provides maternal and child health services, making the need for high-quality healthcare absolutely critical.

The main reason for these tragic deaths is the lack of access to essential health services and the poor quality of healthcare in Yemen. This situation calls for urgent and effective action from the international community and relevant bodies to improve health infrastructure, boost health awareness, and provide the necessary medical care for women and children in Yemen. The aim is to reduce these tragic deaths and improve people’s lives.