WUNRN
Women Without Borders
SAVE Sisters on the Front Page of the Yemen Times
YEMEN - EMPOWER
WOMEN TO COUNTER EXTREMISM
SANA’A, YEMEN - January 24, 2010 —
Although women are the most vulnerable to extremists in Yemen, their voices are
the least likely to be heard and their role in fighting terrorism is restricted
by social and legal status, say human rights activists.
Sisters Against Violent Extremism (SAVE Yemen) brought together a group of
women representing human rights groups, academic institutions, the press, and
university students to discuss how Yemeni women can be involved in the fight
against extremism and terrorism.
“The whole world is focusing on Yemen and terrorism right now, but the true
Yemenis have no voice. People are talking about Yemen, but no one knows what
Yemenis think or how they feel,” said Fahmia Al-Fotih, SAVE Yemen coordinator.
“With the increasing media coverage that portrays Yemen as a training ground
for terrorist activities, a hub for extremism, and a state about collapse, many
Yemeni women have expressed their concerns regarding the worst. Mothers have
started warning their kids not to play on the streets, fearing the terrorists
activities,” said Bilqis Hanash, a journalist.
“Fear and concern are natural,” said Asma, a university student. “As women
shoulder more responsibilities in their families, they become the main victims
of what is going on. Women as mothers and sisters suffer when a member of the
family loses his path and goes towards extremism. Extremists often impose their
extremist beliefs on the female members in their families, preventing them from
receiving an education and working,” said Yassera Al-Shahari, a member of SAVE
Yemen.
Moreover, many women in Yemen are illiterate and unable to understand the
reasons behind the ongoing conflict in Sa’ada with the Houthis, the unrest in
the southern governorates, and the emergence of Al-Qaeda.
This lack of knowledge and awareness makes women “the victims of fears and
worse expectations from the unknown,” said Nadia, a university student.
Samia Al-Aghbari, a university lecturer, pointed out that violent extremism in
Yemen is not just religious. It is independent of religion, nationality,
political or social affiliation, and many women are often victims of such
extremism as they stand powerless within the family and the state to stop the
phenomenon.
Participants revealed their concerns over the ongoing security and economic
breakdowns, which can aggravate the human rights condition in general and women
rights in particular, saying that women should be empowered to be able to face
extremism.
Many international reports indicate, however, that women in Yemen are facing
systemic discrimination and endemic violence with devastating consequences for
their lives.
According to a November 2009 Amnesty International report, the rights of Yemeni
women are routinely violated because Yemeni laws as well as tribal and
customary practices treat them as second class citizens.
“Instead of recognizing women as equal citizens to men with equal rights,
Yemen’s Constitution in Article 31 describes women as ‘sisters of men,’ an
expression with cultural and traditional connotations that support the
supremacy of male family members over females. This phrasing falls far short from
acknowledging women’s equality, which is their right under the international
human rights law,” said the report.
“Discrimination against women in Yemeni legislation is also reflected in family
law, the exercise of male authority, and the lack of respect for women’s
personal integrity. In some instances, discrimination amounts to gender-based
violence, such as extreme restrictions on woman’s freedom of movement, and
forced marriage of girls and women by their male guardian,” said the report,
which elaborated on the Yemeni law saying that it eliminates the role of women
and creates social and cultural attitudes that discriminate against women.
Besides amending the laws which eliminate the role of women in society, the
participants called for “an immediate needed changes in the education system in
Yemen.”
“Curricula and attitudes of some teachers towards women’s rights should be
addressed. Yemeni women still suffer from the misconceptions related their
rights to education, work, and even their personal appearance. In university
classes, for example, you find that some professors continue to promote the
stereotypical roles and certain dress codes for women. Such attitudes nurture
extremist thoughts and diminish women’s initiatives to change the society,”
said a participant.
The participants shared stories of women targeted by their extremist relatives
and also of women who lost a family member to violent extremism.
The participants recommended legal and psychological support for such families
that usually feel stigmatized and tend to isolate themselves. They also
emphasized that schools, mosques, media, and non-government organizations
should not talk about extremism as a phenomenon without addressing its roots
and helping individuals to face it.
“Empowering women comes first. Once empowered, women will then be able to
combat extremist activities and terrorism within their families and
communities,” concluded one of the participants.
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