Workshop on Violence against women, concluded [Archives:2000/30/Local News]

Participants in the training workshop on curbing violence against women, held in Aden, stressed the importance of highlighting Yemeni women’s conditions in the past decade. Discussions centered on various means of violence practiced against women, and women’s status as stipulated in the constitution and laws.
Participants were also unanimous that violence against women is a crime, focusing on finding solutions for this phenomenon.
Mrs. Ehsan Obaid, chairwoman of women’s Union said that the union’s objective was to scientifically and culturally qualify women by organizing computer and other different training courses. “The union cooperates with the British council to organize training courses on various subjects and skills,” she added.
About the future plans she pointed out a number of proposed symposia to discuss issues of concern to women such as delivery health, family cohesion, women’s rights, etc. At the end of her speech she referred to the financial problem they faced due to lack of resources. She said that they got an annual grant of YR 80,000 from the Ministry of legal Affairs.
Dr. Fawziah Ali Ba Shoaieb hailed such events that would help raising the society’s awareness about the problems. Some women’s organizations began holding such workshops, aimed at joining hands for putting an end to violence against women. In addition, she urged upon the government that more opportunities should be given to women to take part in the decision making.
“I hope that recommendations will come to action,” said advocate Afra Al-Hareeri. She called upon the local authorities to help curb violence against women. “Unfortunately,” she added “there are officials who practice violence against women. For example, a 17 year old girl was raped. When she reported this, she was arrested and kept in detention for five days.”
Recommendations focused on promotion of women’s participation in the economic, political, social and legal life. Suggestions were made to help women reach positions of decision making as to limit man’s absolute control over such positions.
They also pointed out the importance of coordination between the Endowment Office and Mosques’ Imams to highlight the issue and its risks, coordination with legal authorities to legislate laws preventing the practice of violence against women and impose strong punishment on rapists.
Practicing violence against woman would always remain an urgent issue for many Yemenis. There are indications affirming the emergence of organized violence against women in all governorates. Violence is practiced against women under various terms, some ascribed to traditions and others under the cover of laws. The issue will involve a lot of people concerned with women’s rights.
Sahar Hassan Mohammed
Moneer Mohammed Saeed
Aden

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