Giving woman economic opportunities [Archives:2003/53/Reportage]

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December 24 2003

BY FAHMIA AL-FUTAIH
YEMEN TIMES STAFF
Women’s Economic Empowerment Association held on Sunday December 21,2002 a meeting at its headquarters discussing woman’s economic rights and the role the local media in this field. The meeting was chaired by Thekra Abbas, the information counselor, attended by a number of press-women and representatives for human rights organizations who participated with a number of issues such as woman economic rights and laws as well as international conventions Yemen had signed.
They also discussed the importance of the media role, especially of female writers and journalists, in defending woman rights particularly those of women in rural areas.
The participants agreed that the problem is not in the laws but their implementation, a process that should be activated besides the raising of awareness about woman rights in the society.
Fathyia Bahran, head of WEEA, opened the meeting with a speech focusing on the importance of all cooperation and seriously exerting efforts to improve the woman’s economic condition. “Media have a great role in spreading knowledge and change among people. Media are is a double-edged weapon that can play its role both positively and negatively. So we hope the media to raise awareness and try to change the people’s negative look at woman” she said.
“We here in WEEA attempt to alleviate poverty by helping poor women to have their own businesses and try to assist those who work and toil for sake of their families but unfortunately are marginalized by the society. We believe that he who has the money, has the power and decision.” She added.
“We want to enlighten women on various activities and to deliver her voice to decision-makers. We think that it is not only the government role to help her but also we seek organizations collaboration and assistance to run some training courses as well as found projects with a special bank for the woman.” She concluded.
. The participants also discussed conditions of women working in unorganized and non-governmental sectors such as female farmers, sellers and those who have small projects and the importance of taking care of them, appreciating their big role in increasing family income that somehow helps alleviate poverty.
The participants asked for more communication with syndicates in activating their roles for sake of the women rights. They also recommended organizing two workshops, in the first one the concerned bodies and the general administration for woman in all ministries are invited to read and discuss the laws. The second one is specialized for journalist and media people to urging them to allot an economic page to tackle women economic issues and register the economic discrimination against women.
In the end of the meeting, participants agreed on establishing team from media to implement a number of suggestions through 2003 under WEEA supervision.

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