Forum on Women’s Participation in Elections [Archives:2000/32/Local News]

A meeting was held last Monday at the National Woman Committee (NWC) headquarters to discuss the significance of woman’s participation in elections as a candidate and voter and the role which the Committee can play in this field.
The meeting was attended by Yemeni women leaders and a delegation from the visiting American Democratic Institute headed by Thomas Melia, Vice-President of the NDI.
Drawing up a plan on awareness among women to prepare them for elections and the need to develop the idea of elections awareness, were also discussed.
Rasheeda Al-Hamadani, NWC Chairman affirmed that awareness should initially start with eradicating illiteracy among men and women, specially that many inherited traditions still hinder woman’s participation.
On the other hand, the NWC held a meeting last Sunday with an American delegation from the American Tax Relations Society, headed by John Antolin. NWC Chairman and vice-Chairman and a number of members also took part. The agenda was to study the problems which women face in the fields of health and education and other areas.
Available statistics disclose disturbing figures on woman’s conditions in health particularly in rural areas where women live a health-deteriorated life owing to increased work, malnutrition and rest during pregnancy and delivery.
The NWC had in the past issued publications on woman’s conditions in Yemen and the difficulties she faced, showing figures and facts which really need studies.
The Committee is expected to intensify its works and studies during the next few days in order to know the extent of improvements. It will also encourage woman’s political rivalry in the forthcoming elections.

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