Women, elections and difficult times [Archives:2006/978/Viewpoint]

Editor
During the preparation of these elections, many organizations sought women as significant participants. One rural women was stunned by the notion that she can have a say in the presidential elections and commented, “We can't choose our husbands, how can we choose the president of the republic?”

The country has progressed a lot since the first elections in 1993, yet many Yemeni women are still deprived of many basic rights, consequently, democracy is not a big concern. Just last year I was talking to a few young girls in Abyan Governorate, their dream was to attend school and the highlight of their day was to watch soap opera shows on the old black and white TV operating on battery. “If I finish my chores early and the TV is working then I watch the episode and dream away with the characters. Before I sleep I would think of them and imagine what life would be like if mine was different,” said 13 year-old Maha, a teenager from Abyan who takes care of the family livestock instead of going to school, told me.

Today, female Yemeni activists are upset that the political parties did not live up to their promise to promote female candidates in the coming local elections. They say they are shocked by the audacity at which the leaders could turn a deaf ear on women's rights and demands. Truth to be told, I think I would have been shocked if they did live up to their promise. Not that what happened is a good thing, but Yemen is still not ready for such transition.

One has to see the big picture to understand the situation. With increasing illiteracy, especially among youth, the deteriorating living standards and the complicated social problems it would be wishful thinking to assume that women's voices would be heard instantly.

There's a lot to be done for women in Yemen. It's not only in politics; it's in traditions, family relations, the economy, legal system, education and human rights.

Yemeni women have a long way to go, and experience has taught us we cannot rely on promises even if coming from the president of the republic.

Maha and others will continue to dream, and a time will come when their dreams come true, maybe soon enough so that we all look back at these difficult times and smile.
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