Political Participation by Women [Archives:2000/45/Reportage]

On 31st Oct. 2000 , a seminar was held at the Womens National Committee titled Womens Political Participation. Many intellectuals and politicians, representatives of women sectors in the political participated including the parties, chairwoman and vice-chairwoman of the committee Mrs. Rasheda Alhamadani and Mrs. Houriya Mashhor.
All participants stressed the necessity that the political parties should activate womens role in political life.
Despite the fact that Yemeni women won two seats in the parliaments of 1993 and 1997, they are still unable to make others see where she stands and that she represents half of the society which gives her rights, man doesnt usually acknowledge. The woman is still unable to engage and participate effectively in political life in Yemen. That could be due to many obstacles hindering her having a greater role.
Apart from the traditional stand towards woman and her role as an effective member in the society, the problem of woman lies in the following:
– The absence of woman in the middle leadership in the society. She is either at senior positions close to the political regime or at the bottom of the ladder.
– Non-governmental organizations concerned with womans issues havent played the required role to improve the image of woman and to raise her education level.
– Active women are connected with the ruling party, which makes those women only seek personal interests without giving much concern to the real problems of women, especially of those living in rural areas who always pay for the expensive bill of suffering resulting from practices of those women at the top.
Rana Ahmed Ghanim, member of the central committee of the Nasserite Peoples Unionist Organization told Yemen Times Outwardly it seems that there is much attention given to womans political participation but reality reflects the opposite. The society itself doesnt believe that Yemeni woman has good potential to work and to affect the whole society positively. In addition to that women cannot attend mens Qat sessions where political discussions are made either among government or opposition members.
She adds the Yemeni woman is still living in a society that refuses working women. This society will definitely refuse any political participation by woman. Even if we assume the otherwise, a woman participating in a political party will not be allowed to achieve what she wants to because there have always excuses like social obstacles and lack of facilities.
She continues the present situation of womans political participation is reasonable, but the problem is how to activate it and the fear that the woman could assume a leading position. This is the product of the social education and non-confidence in womens capabilities and some fear from her being more capable than her male partners, a matter man does not digest even as an idea.
About government negligence towards womans political participation, she said this negligence is a reflection of the central planning of the state which doesnt give the country all it needs in terms of services, not like cities where decisions are made. The law of local elections should seek eliminating that unfortunate situation and support womans participation through the relative list in elections.
Mrs. Wahiba Sabra, member of the central committee of the Yemeni socialist party said in her paper that the Yemeni socialist party believes that the struggle to restore all the rights of the Yemeni woman and to cancel discrimination against her is part of the struggle for democracy. Yemeni woman should be given all her rights as a human being and as an effective member in the family and the whole society. She should be allowed to hold high ranking positions if she proves to be well qualified for them and the principle of equality between man and woman should stand to enable the woman to reach the centers of decision-making.
Mrs. Sabra also overviewed the long march of Yemeni women in achieving independence of the Republic.
Dr. Mohammed Abdulmalik Almutawakil stressed that in order for the woman to have a political role she should know what she wants.
Mr. Ali Saif Hassan , assistant secretary general of the Nasserite Peoples Unionist Organization referred to activating womans role in political participation. He added that the real participation is done by identifying the goals and setting aside loyalty without deep understanding of whats going on.
Mrs. Amatalsalam Rajaa , head of womens sector in the Yemeni Reform Congregation party referred in her paper titled suggestions to activate the womans role in society to the obstacles that draw women back. She underscored the first steps in the direction of development. She also referred to other economic obstacles that make womans participation very limited. The other obstacles related to personal factors like the lack of self-confidence and frustration when compared to accomplishments made by man in different fields.
To conclude, participation of women in political parties and elections needs a more realistic and understanding look from all political parties, from the government and the society as a whole.

——
[archive-e:45-v:2000-y:2000-d:2000-11-06-p:./2000/iss45/report.htm]