RANİYA ABDULLAH

Yemen – Despite difficulties they have faced due to the war ongoing for seven years, Yemeni women have proven themselves by resisting difficulties. We spoke to Yemeni women about International Women’s Day.

Women have proven themselves

“Yemeni women, like all women over the world, have succeeded in proving themselves, taking action on 8 March and demanding their rights in recent years,” Raghda Al-Maqtari, a member of the Bar Association, told NuJINHA.

Adiba Al-Sarari, a radio presenter of one of the local radio stations in the city of Taiz, said that many Yemeni women don’t know anything about International Women’s Day. “Yemen is a country where women are raped, abused, killed, tortured, kidnapped, and even starved to death. For this reason, only educated women know the meaning of International Women’s Day,” she said.

“Women need spaces”

“Women can be financially powerful. They are involved in every part of society. In recent years, we have seen many women take part in political and social activities.  Feminist organizations, groups, and initiatives have been also founded to work on social and humanitarian projects. This proves that women are the pillar of society,” activist Noura al-Numan told us.

“One day is not enough”

Marseilia Al-Assali, the program director at IYSO, stated that March 8 is a holy day for her. “People only post on social media platforms about how such days are important. But one day is not enough for women. International Women’s Day should be celebrated across Yemen. March 8 is the symbol of the feminist movement,” she said.