In government, the press and the private sectorLet’s let women have a go at it [Archives:2005/839/Opinion]
I am not quite certain that is always correct to justify our inability to cope with our incompetence on so many fronts because of inherited traits or complications. Nor does this observer believe that our traditions and values are excuses for or inability to set up the right management that indicates that we can get things done and in the right way. Quite often, men in Yemen tend to look down upon women and I am not talking about the “uneducated” or those who hail from rural areas. I tend to believe Yemeni women deserve a lot more credit and appreciation and indeed a lot more enablement and empowerment.
In my management experience in both the private sector and the public sector, I have managed departments or whole institutions with women in my staff and I must categorically admit they were astute and diligent employees. They were never hesitant in following instructions and even if they were not familiar with the matter at hand, they went out of their way to find out the crux of the matter and carried on their duty.
Historically, Yemenis should remember that history has given two epochs in our history, with Yemeni women at the helms and the country was at a peak in prosperity. The Holy Quran revealed to us the splendor that the Kingdom of Saba enjoyed under the Queen of Sheba (reputably named Bilquis) . Not only did she rule a magnificent kingdom, but the Quran relates that she ruled in a democratic manner, insisting that all decisions should be made through consultations with all the relevant concerned people or entities. Even when Kin Solomon (PBAUH) beckoned her to meet and discuss the issues of the day in those ancient times, she insisted on meeting her counsel of advisors and awaited to hear what they thought their queen should do.
Then came Queen Arwa who ruled at the height of the Sulaihi Era around the 10th Century and the Town of Jibla became one of the most outstanding cultural centers in the Islamic World at the time.
These two women were not prevented from taking their place in destiny by traditions and customs that are often used an excuse to block progress, because there are some die hard conservatives, who fear for their power or simply have no common sense to regard change as inevitable and often called for to get us out of many of the predicaments we are facing.
In our times, I would like to point out some situations where this observer has personally detected a very positive venue for the simple reason that there are women in these situations that do make a difference.
In Government, we have a woman as the Minister of Human Rights. This is a very difficult and sensitive position and undoubtedly no man would envy the courageous and capable Amat Al-Alim Al-Susawa for taking the post. Yet, she accepted knowing the challenge it entails and the obvious difficulties and the awesome cultural hurdles shat must be overcome (not to mention the political paradoxes). She not only took it, she really made something out of it. She is taking her position with a high sense of responsibility and the hope that indeed the message of human rights can have a lasting impression on our culture. I wish her the best of luck and I dare say, she should expect from the press all the support she needs to make her efforts easier.
In our own enterprise, the Yemen Times, this observer had the pleasure to work with two fine ladies, who took on the leadership of the paper. Once was with Haifa Abdul-Aziz Al-Saqaaff, who was Acting Editor In Chief for a couple of months last Summer. There was no problem that seemed to defy solution, if presented to Haifa in the right way and she made her decisions based on a rational deduction from the facts that were presented to her. If she did not feel sure about something she would ask the right people before a decision was made.
Then comes the periods when Nadia Abdul-Aziz Al-Saqqaf took the helms. I did not deal with the paper at the management level the first time she acted as Editor in Chief, but the staff reported to me that they did not have problems getting things done. This time, however, I had a greater opportunity to watch as Nadia takes the helms from her capable brother, Walid without so much as a worry or apprehension. One is already pleased at some of the changes that have taken place. First there was the attention to appearance. The premises is getting a paint job and some rearrangement of furniture. Customers are cooperating with the paper on payments. Staff are getting their dues on time. Editorial and news content is getting the attention it deserves. The Yemen Times is as Nadia said: “going to be a recognized media channel at the forefront”. One can believe that, because as always, success begins with determination.
Needless to say, Yemeni women have always been at the forefront I managing their homes. In fact, even in the traditional rural areas, it is often women who run the homes and farms alone, as the men are either working overseas or in the cities, for weeks, months and sometimes years.
If one takes a look at the independent or partisan press, one will find some women writers who have spoken their minds more courageously then most men writers would dare become. Rashida Al-Qealy for example has written candidly about the excesses of the executive branch and the lot of the people under a system that makes the rich richer and the poor poorer and erases anything in between.
There is talk of trying to get quotas for elected positions to be set for women. I think the problem lies in that the election system does not allow for candidates to have a chance to present their positions in due time to the voters. Nor does it allow for true go out and get the vote campaigning. Otherwise, women would be able to meet with voters for a longer period of time and explain their platforms better. They should have no problems getting votes, because the voters already know that the men haven't performed up to par!
In the private sector this observer had a problem returning a defective part within the guarantee period. I have come and gone to the CEW headquarters on a number of occasions, not to mention telephone calls. By chance I met the Marketing Manager there. She herself asked me what is the problem. When I explained to her the situation, she simply took the pen an issued the instructions that smoothed the whole matter out in seconds. Now that is competence and sound management.
The point is that we should look more favorably and proudly on our women. We should only have to give them a chance to be free and to have access to positions of management and responsibility. Leave the rest to them. They will do just fine.
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