Woman societies role in economic development in Yemen [Archives:2002/34/Business & Economy]

BY MAHYOUB AL-KAMALI
Governmental and non-governmental woman societies in Yemen contribute to implementation of economic development programs especially as role of the women who are members of woman civil societies. Governmental woman establishments activities are mainly represented in maternity and child care and productive families fields, while woman non-governmental societies role in this respect is undertaken by four societies, namely, The Society of Enabling Woman Economically, The Program on Integration of Woman, The National Committee of Women and Family Care Society. Non-governmental woman organizations are represented by The General Union of Yemeni Women, Sisters Arab Forum, Regional Organization for Human Rights and the Center on Woman Promotion.
There are also around 78 woman organizations in the Yemeni southern governorates and they own and run small economic enterprises contribute to increasing family income. These organizations are also paying attention to training and qualification of women to help them obtain certain job opportunities securing immediate incomes for women. More importantly is that such non-governmental woman societies are very active centers for productive work in the capital and major cities and encourage engagement of Yemeni women in labor market. Statistical figures indicate that activity of these societies has led to a rise in of the proportion of woman contribution to the economic activity in general, especially among 40 years group of age, scoring up to 30% of those capable of working in the capital. Depending on a report compiled in 2001 by Human Development in Yemen, majority of woman organizations undertake rather traditional aspects of professions and jobs, mainly in fields related to maternity and childhood, social welfare, training and teaching and training women on sewing, embroidery, handicraft professions and some businesses.
Legal and constitutional texts do in fact encourage women to practice economic activities and guarantee their right to creativity and getting loans for founding and operating small investment enterprises.
Official statistical figures point out that in Yemen proportion of providing sustenance for women is higher than those for men because women contribution to economic activity is lower. Nonetheless, activity of woman non-governmental organizations in the fields of services, small enterprises, family economy, environment and urban growth and also in establishing societies aimed at giving hand to women of limited income is on the increase.
Yemeni woman circles believe that emergence of private societies that dates back to about 12 years, has contributed to encouraging women to work and surmount some traditions that restraint women from being involved in labor market or education and habilitation and training. With the growing hardships of living conditions , the non-governmental societies have participated in enabling women to get job opportunities in order to secure stable incomes for their families. Their affiliation with such woman organizations has helped them set up programs for their activity and prove their capability of work and manage their living. Thus the non-governmental organizations and societies in Yemen have played good role in pushing women to labor and business market and in economic life. Such activities are in fact receiving support from donor organizations and countries in addition to assistance rendered by the government of Yemen.

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