The Muslim Woman

The State of the World’s Children 2007 report looks at the discrimination and disempowerment faced by women throughout their lives, also it laid down few points that might become instrumental in eradicating gender discrimination and empowers women and girls. The United Nations Children’s Fund in Yemen initiated the program’s 2007 annual report in Sana’a in the presence of Minister of Social Affairs and Labor, Amat Al-Razaq Hummad, and representatives from NGOs, the private sector and the media. The call for equal rights evolved into a quest for gender equality when a distinction was made between gender and sex. As the occasion was on its way, some Yemeni Artists presented the contemporary society through a skit. Where a 12-year-old girl was fighting for her right to study only with a single support of her mother since it was against her father’s will thus, the group encouraged audience to educate their girls and not let traditions stand in the way of women’s empowerment. Read

Women, though legally equal, suffer from institutionalized discrimination in some areas. It is far more difficult for a woman to divorce than a man, who may do so at will. The minimum marriage age has been abolished, and in practice, marriages are consummated when the bride is as young as nine years old. Women are vulnerable to sexual assault by their husbands or fathers. Recent survey conducted by Yemen Female Media Forum over the first three months of 2007 has disclosed that Yemeni women are subjected to repeated abuses and violence. Grim figures shows: 1. 31 percent of those interviewed (165 cases) complained that illiterate women are subjected to abuse more than other groups. 2. 14.8 percent of the informants noted that girls enrolled in primary schools suffer human right abuses and violence mostly by their own families and male relatives. 3. More than 87 percent of those surveyed said that families are responsible for abuse and violence against women. 4. Women are denied the right to work after marriage, particularly in rural and remote areas where there is no enough awareness about human rights and equality. The poll suggested that women living in rural areas have no access to healthcare and most of them deliver at home unattended due to the lack of medical staff in their areas, coupled with the indifference and poor living standards of their husbands. While those living in cities, the survey clarified, enjoy good access to healthcare but don’t escape abuse and violence. The survey showed the type of disabilities among women, which are symptomatic of abuse, violence and mistreatment. Such disabilities include speaking and hearing impairments, limp, fracture of arms and mental disorders. What could be the reason of it? The community culture, poor awareness about women’s role and disrespect for women’s status are some of the reasons behind the increased numbers of abuse cases. Other causes of violence and mistreatment include the absence of legal institutions as well as alcohol and drug abuses. Is there a way out? Some preventive initiatives must be taken through innovative educational campaigns, which’ll reduce violence among women in the nation. Certain legislatives are to be framed that’ll respond effectively to gender based violence. Raising awareness through media and teaching women about their rights and how to exercise them are also an important step towards their liberation. So, the bottom line is, it’s jungle rule out here, so women take stand or pick up your shield or linger the way you’ve been so many years. Image Read