Young Generation and their agonies and concerns

Yemen’s female population faces many challenges stemming from their stunted educational status within society. It is common, within traditional Yemeni families, to deny girls their right to education, with emphasis placed upon future marriage instead, and the duties that accompany such unions.

The recently exposed story of Najud Mohammed, and eight year old girl married to a man in his thirties, has brought renewed inspection upon this practice. The judge in the case in western Sana’a explained that the situation was not unusual in Yemen, especially in rural areas, where economic desperation and tribal traditions encourage families to sell their daughters to older men in return for a financial dowry.

Although the legal age of consent for marriage is set in Yemen at the tender age of 15, a recent study by Sana’a University claimed that 52% of all girls were married before 17 years of age. The death of 12-year old Fawzya Yosef during childbirth has renewed pressure on the President to pass a general bill set to raise the minimum age of marriage to 17.

Women as cheap labor in the work force

Yemen faces an epidemically high percentage of illiteracy among women, as many young women as deprived the right of education due to traditions or cultural suppositions. The ties between illiteracy, poverty and violence are obvious to the outside observer, yet often individuals view these factors as the repercussions of women’s choices rather then the natural byproduct of systematic subjugation.

A recent study recorded the statistical reality that over two thirds of the poor in Yemen are female, typically having been married young and deprived of the opportunity to attain education, then cast off as they grew older.

Often faced with harsh living conditions and ostracized by family members, disadvantaged women turn to menial labor if it can be found, and begging if it cannot. Even in the cases where women are lucky enough to find labor jobs, the lack of educational experience and cognitive exercise limits her progression, maintaining the status quo. However, the resourcefulness of the female workforce has caused many to exceed expectations, even within the menial tasks they are yoked to, causing some to reexamine the productive nature of females in the workforce.

Beyond the daily monotony of these cheap labor jobs, women face additional challenges in their effort to become self-sufficient. The types of jobs seeing an increase in uneducated women tend to be the lower status manual labor jobs, already firmly attached to social prejudices that were typically managed by men. The presence of young girls in these environments is precarious at best, as they face a daily barraged of verbal and social abuse, compounded with their already beleaguered self-images.

There is discussion afoot in parliament attempting to discover the perfect response to rising female poverty in Yemen. Often, however, the conclusions reached do not address the heart of the problem. While there is validity to recent suggestions attempting to provide basic training for women. A small degree of training would enable them to be capable of working public sector employment opportunities, such as waitresses in hotels, internet café employees, and within clothing retail outlets. These jobs would provide financial independence, no doubt, and perhaps even assist the recapturing of self worth. Nevertheless, these grand plans do not discuss the reason for the dramatic unemployment numbers among women; until illiteracy and education are addressed, the root remains the same and the disease grows. Outside sources, such as cultural ideals and general harassment, are two areas that must be addressed as well, with education again being the practical response.

Beyond the responsibilities that women often find themselves tasked with in the cheap labor work force, they face yet another additional danger in their already challenging struggles. There is a tendency for men and women to be treated by different standards within the workforce, specifically with the discrepancy between average pay. Perhaps these differences stem from employers taking advantage of the difficult and lonely positions women find themselves in, or perhaps it stems from the general cultural idea that represents women as weak or docile. Others have suggested that such behaviors stem again from education, with women completely unaware of their constitutional rights, and other rights guaranteed within employment.

Due to such factors of ignorance, it is not uncommon for employers to cancel the employment privileges enjoyed by the male workers from the lives of the females. While women work the same hours performing the same tasks as their male counterparts, their wages are significantly less. The most difficult notion, for many women, is the simple fact that there is a realization that they are replaceable, with long lines of women waiting for an opportunity to provide sustenance for themselves and their children as well. Therefore, even as women become aware of these discrepancies, they must continue to endure inappropriate conditions, with personal quietism begotten from fear, hunger and despair.

The presence of women as cheap labor does not assist in the progression or validation of the humanity of women. Rather, the present situation continues the cycle of poverty, despair and un-education, as it does nothing to develop skills, experience or independence. It is a battle that rages daily on the streets, one that must be fought on a multitude of fronts.

Women confronting terrorism

A door is kicked down, stormed by four figures dressed in black, securing the area and subduing those inside. In a matter of seconds, the home is secure and the objective has been achieved. The soldiers relax, taking note in the professionalism and accuracy with which the mission was performed. Their laughter and ease resonate throughout the halls, the sounds of women proud of a task well executed.  It is not the image one conjures upon first read, but it is a growing reality in Yemen’s counter terrorism units. While it may be a small reality, it is effective, stable and on the move.

Recent reports have circulated throughout the news circuit of two Yemeni women who recently graduated from a military training facility in Britain, receiving praise and congratulations from the Central Security Chief Brigadier General.

Yemen has begun to train women in the arts of counter terrorism, while at home women have yet to overcome the patriarchal system that relegates women to a subjective role beside their male counterparts. The women exercise, train, struggle and sweat. They are learning the latest techniques and are becoming proficient in the use of all of the military gear traditionally reserved for men. They patrol the frontline of the battle against extremism, carrying themselves with poise, pride and professionalism.

Among the unit of twenty females who enlisted in mid-2006 among the 300 perspective soldiers, seven remain in active duty, proving themselves time and again through extreme pressure, training and social ostracism. Many more have followed the path of these pioneers in the preceding years.

The women who remain in the service do not reside in the central security forces barracks that sprawl across the vastness of Sana’a, as their male colleagues do. Instead, they continue to live with their families, traveling to the compounds every morning, providing valuable assistance to their coworkers.

The unit was originally designed in order to arrest fugitives disguised in the traditional clothing of women. It has become a common practice among rebel groups to wear black abaya’s and niqab’s as a way to avoid detection and capture. Cultural traditions in Yemen state that a man may not search women or expose her to prying eyes. The female soldiers are a perfect response to a tradition that has allowed many to pass unhindered through the security lines.

Military information centers have emphasized that women have moved beyond just operational assistants in the forces, but have now begun to be trained in the collection of information, first aid and in the use of armored vehicles and weapons.

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