Rahma Shanathour –

Yemen -In a country where female illiteracy exceeds 60% in some rural areas according to international estimates, fifty-three-year-old Radiya Taher returned to the classroom after many long years, overcoming illiteracy and breaking the social constraints imposed by tradition.

Radiya Taher’s story, from Al-Ma’afer District in Taiz Governorate in southern Yemen, is an inspiration to many women. Social norms once prevented her from attending school under the pretext that educating girls was considered “shameful”—a belief that still deprives thousands of girls of their right to education. Yet Radiya triumphed in her personal battle, fulfilling her childhood dream by obtaining her high school certificate with a success rate of 76%.

A Journey That Began at a Literacy Center

Radiya’s journey began at a literacy center, which she joined in her forties. Speaking about her experience, she says:
“My dream since childhood was to learn, but the circumstances back then prevented girls from going to school. Girls in our time were responsible for farming, caring for cows and sheep, and household duties. Education was only for boys.”

Despite this, her desire for learning never faded. She was married at a young age and became fully occupied with raising her children and managing her home, while a hidden passion for education continued to burn inside her.

For more than twenty years, Radiya worked in sewing and tailoring to support her family and raise her nine children—six sons and three daughters. Today, the eldest is around 30 years old, while the youngest is 14. Years later, after moving to a new village, she was given an opportunity to join a sewing institute affiliated with the village council.

She recalls that opportunity saying:
“They asked me to register the trainees’ names, but I was illiterate and couldn’t write. The director accepted me and taught me, and from there my first real steps toward learning began.”

Her ambition did not stop there. She joined a literacy center to complete her education from scratch, learning to read and write just like children.
“I spent three years at the literacy center. I learned everything from the beginning and became able to read and write. Then I stopped for a whole year because of discouraging comments from some people, but I returned and told myself I must continue and complete my education.”

After three years of hard work and perseverance, her desire to continue learning grew stronger. Radiya made what many considered a bold, even “crazy,” decision: to enroll in formal school alongside students much younger than her.

“I remember my first day in class. Some students laughed and said, ‘An old woman is studying.’ But I didn’t care.”

Challenges That Did Not Break Her Determination

Returning to school was not easy. Radiya faced social and psychological challenges, studying alongside students the same age as her children.
“At first, some students mocked me because of my age,” she says.

However, her determination and kind personality transformed mockery into respect and affection. Soon, students began calling her “Mother Radiya,” seeing her as both a classmate and a mother figure.

The challenges were not limited to social pressure. Weak eyesight was a major obstacle, especially during exams.
“Sometimes I knew the answer, but I couldn’t read the question well because of my poor vision.”

After years of effort, Radiya reached the final year of high school—an achievement in itself. Yet she did more than simply attend; she graduated with a score of 76%, which she describes as the fulfillment of her lifelong dream.

“On the day the results were announced, I cried. I felt that the child inside me had finally found peace.”

Reflecting on her journey today, Radiya says with confidence:
“Age is not a barrier if there is determination. You can learn even if you are in your fifties.”

Now, Radiya Taher stands proudly holding her high school certificate, proving that determination is capable of creating miracles. She concludes by saying:
“Life does not always go the way we want. There are beautiful moments and difficult ones, but what matters is to keep going.