Yemen Observer: http://www.yobserver.com

Yemeni woman lauded in Britain

Posted in: News Varieties
Written By: Zaid al-Alaya’a
Article Date: Mar 27, 2007 - 12:10:37 PM
Afrah Muflihi gets some support from Prime Minister Tony Blair himself.
A Yemeni woman was one of five women granted a personal audience with British Prime Minister Tony Blair this month, on the occasion of International Women’s Day. Aden native Afrah Muflihi, now of Sandwell, is the Health Development Officer of the Yemeni Community Association, a small community-based organisation that seeks to represent and meet the particular needs of the Yemeni Community in Sandwell, Britain.

It does this by providing services over and above those available in the mainstream sector, and also by acting as a mediator between the community and various service providers. Muflihi was invited to breakfast with Blair at 10 Downing Street on March 8, as one of 40 women from across the United Kingdom honoured for making important contributions to their communities. Only five had the chance to meet with Blair one-on-one.

She took the opportunity to hand him an information pack about what the Yemeni Community does. Her father, Saleh Abdulrahman of Sheik House for al-Gruba in Yaffa, said he is proud of her and of what she is doing for Yemenis in Britain. It was an excellent news for the community to see their women been represented at the highest level. Muflihi, who wears a headscarf, refuses to wear a veil and says that she considers it improper in a country like the UK, and an obstruction to communication with people.

She is keen in teaching her kids to learn Islam and Arabic, as this is very important for their sense of belonging and identity.  “No matter where we are, we have to remember that Islam is our religion and Arabic is our language.” said Muflihi.  More than 250 Yemeni families live within the Borough of Sandwell, most of whom are members of YCA. Many of the Yemeni families in the area suffer from unemployment or underemployment, and as a group they have few marketable skills.

These disadvantages are compounded by cultural and language issues, which often make it difficult for the Yemeni community to access mainstream services and organizations. Other issues of concern within the community include: the generally poor health of many individuals; high poverty levels; and an increasingly disaffected youth.  In a direct response to this state of affairs, members of the Yemeni Community in Sandwell got together and decided to organise their efforts and activities towards the common objective of bringing the community closer together to encourage support of one another.

A memorable visit to a famous address.
After a great deal of formal and informal consultation, it was decided to form the Yemeni Community Association as a vehicle to articulate and manage these newly expressed aspirations and ambitions. It was registered as an official charity in 1997. Since its inception, the YCA has tackled numerous community issues through partnerships and cooperation with other statutory and voluntary organizations. Its partners have included: the ‘Health Action Zone’; Social Inclusion and Health, the Education and Community Services Dept; Youth Forum; and the New Deal for Communities.

Having a community base has been integral to giving the families in the Yemeni Community a focal point for problem solving and support. It also helps to raise the profile of the Yemeni community in Sandwell.  The community office is both the ‘hub’ for practical work and initiatives, as well as a space for cultural validation and identity reinforcement.  Among the services offered by the YCA are: advice and pension services; an after-school club; conference facilities; IT Learning Centre; job club; and a lunch club for elderly men. Muflihi started volunteering at the Yemeni Community Association in Sandwell, Birmingham in 2001, and gained more interest in community work, especially in the field of health. 

When a post came up in 2003 as Health Development Officer, funded by Sandwell Primary Care Trust, she decided to apply for it. In 2001, she had already initiated a piece of research identifying the health needs of the Yemeni Community in Sandwell, the first study of its kind in the borough.  When she took up post, it was only natural that she worked towards meeting the identified needs of the Yemeni community. “There have been numerous projects that have been undertaken at the YCA, but none more important than that of Women’s Development.” said Muflihi.

The 2001 research had identified that women within the community were not engaged in employment, education or training and did not participate in regular health related activities thus making them more vulnerable to isolation and its related health risks. In 2003, she helped launch the Women’s Luncheon Club. The WLC enabled women to get involved in education, health awareness, fitness and outings, by providing childcare so that women could participate more fully.  “The project was immensely successful in engaging women, and its popularity was such that there was a waiting list,” said Muflihi.

The project was also a finalist in the 2005 Sandwell Women of Achievements Awards. The WLC model has now been emulated in many organizations. “We are proud to say that now the majority of women are accessing colleges, training, employment or seeking employment as a result of confidence building as well as accessing various health & fitness activities organized either by the YCA or more local organizations,” said Muflihi  She was born in 1969 in Aden to Saleh Abdulrahman Saleh and Huda Mohammed Kassem of al-Gurbah Village, Yaffa. 

She came to England with her parents and elder sister as a child, and went through the English education system.  “I was fortunate enough to complete my education with the full support of my parents, especially my father,” she said. She got married in 1987.

She commenced her General Nurse Training in 1988, and qualified in 1991, when she began practicing nursing. In 1997, she qualified as a midwife, as well as undertaking and obtaining a degree in Women’s Health Studies at University of Central England. She has continued to practice midwifery for the last five years, gaining experience within the hospital and the community.