Mrs. Hooria Mashhour, deputy chairperson of Women National Committee shared her thoughts about the most hindering problem for females’ general progress in Yemen.

The most critical influence for females’ progress in Yemen is how accessible education is and its quality. Education is the key element for change and advancement in any country and for anybody let alone in Yemen or for females alone. It’s the answer for all the females’ hampering barriers and the base for their development in all levels. It’s crucial for social, economical, political and even cultural advancement.

Of course there has been real progress in the educational sector in Yemen especially for females but it still not enough. We still need to work more and harder in order to get to better educational status. In particular, more effort should be done in the rural areas where girls are still not having more chances in education or even drop out very early due to social or\and traditional obstacles. The early drop outs make it is hard for females’ general development.

Unfortunately, 60% of Yemen’s female portion is illiterate. Only %25 of the educated girls reaches higher education. All of us must facilitate women’s access to education which automatically contributes in the country’s welfare.

The next step will be, improving the education content nature. It must be of good quality. It has to be an Education that matches nowadays life requirements and demands.

If education is easily accessible and available to all of women in Yemen, poverty would be completely demolished. It will give them more chances and higher chances in getting good jobs which will naturally guarantee them good income. Consequently, women will improve the quality of their life and their surrounding folks and definitely will give them more independency.

Women friendly bodies have to work hand by hand to help women become more empowered. Socially, religiously, politically and in media women should be endorsed.

The Yemen Observer newspaper welcomes women, from the entire country, to send their comments and/or stories to the following email address: afrah@yobserver.com