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Port of Call |
LAST UPDATE August 1, 2007
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| site design imagesparkle.com |
| July 2, 2007 |
Aden, Yemen - A Woman's Place Out of the Home: Meeting with the Women of Aden |
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| Participants came to the volcanic city of Aden to see the women's group in action |
Winding through the volcanic hills and into the heart of Yemen's busiest port, something seemed missing. One Peace Boat participant soon realised. “Where are all the women?” she asked. “Inside” came the guide's reply, “it's cooking time.” The apparent inequality between men and women is not all it seemed however, as over the past 40 years a large women's union has grown to help improve opportunities for the ten million women in the country. At the local level this movement has created independently active groups, including the Aden Women's Association (AWA). During its stay, Peace Boat organized an exchange for participants to meet with some of the 1,500 members of AWA and learn how they are helping to make Yemen a leader of women's empowerment in the Arab world. |
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An increasing number of women are now joining the Aden police force
Photo: Emilie McGlone |
Head of AWA, Fatimah Saeed Almarse, explained how the women's movement in Yemen is closely tied to its history, beginning as a political movement to support independence from British occupation. Under the subsequent socialist regime that took hold in the south of the country, women's liberation began to take off with the belief that both men and women should be at work. The legacy of this era can still be seen in Aden today, with half of the city's women having their own jobs. Even in the traditionally male-dominated police force, women are more visible than ever with over 60 female officers walking the beat in Aden during 2005. “Policing is in my blood” says 26 year old Rasha Shipani, proud to be able to carry on the profession of her father, “but I'm not the only one - more women are joining every year.” |
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| Vocational skills such as henna painting give more women the chance to enter the workforce |
Nowadays, AWA is trying to build on employment opportunities for all by offering a range of skills training – from dressmaking to photography – giving more women the chance to help support their families and avoid the poverty trap. Over the past 8 years, 226 women have been trained in henna body painting, many of whom had come along to practise their art on the enthusiastic visitors. But beyond business, AWA knows women must support their families in other ways too, particularly as mothers. By providing services such as a kindergarten and children's health education, AWA is helping them to meet these demands as well. |
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| Japanese participants try on the traditional veil as they learnt about the women's culture |
The community built up through AWA also allows women to share their skills, heritage and culture among the group. Many described a strong desire to pass on their own traditions to the next generation, but also to learn from cultures outside of Yemen. The feeing was shared by many of the Japanese visitors who were keen to learn about the veil worn by the Yemen women. “I was at first a little intimidated by the facial covering” admitted one participant, “but I found the women we spoke to really very friendly.” “It was a great opportunity for us to find out more about cultural differences like this and to see how together, women can change their lives for the better” said another. |
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| Several made new friends and shared their contact details in the spirit of women's solidarity |
Fatimah is keen to build on international links like the Peace Boat exchange and encouraged the participants to spread the message of their work in the spirit of women's solidarity. “Tell your family and friends in Japan what you have seen here today. Tell them how the women in Yemen are establishing their social status” she said. Within Yemen, the wider women's movement is certainly being recognised in the corridors of power. Earlier this year, two women from the national Women's Union were appointed as government ministers. Yet as the network of female solidarity grows both nationally and internationally, Fatimah is careful not to become complacent: “There are still disadvantaged women everywhere. We will continue to support those in Yemen through our work and through it, hopefully we can bring attention to these issues across the Arab world and beyond.” |
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