Theoretically, almost all Yemeni political parties, regardless of their orientations, agree on the importance of women's participation in political work. However, in reality, the presence of "half of society" in decision-making positions within parties and state institutions is almost non-existent. Amid the current situation in the country, Yemeni women have faced significant pressures and the loss of rights they had gained through their struggle since the revolution and the declaration of the republic, which opened up wide horizons for various segments of the population.
Yemeni women have not remained confined to their homes, shackled by customs and traditions that deprived them of their basic rights. They have taken unforgettable national stances, participated in building society, and fought for their educational, professional, political, social, and economic aspirations, aiming to achieve dignity and equality for all.
To discuss more broadly the role of Yemeni women, the achievements they have made, and the heavy responsibilities they bear due to the ongoing aggression and conflict in our country, and the resulting economic deterioration and negative impact on societal values, the newspaper "Al-Mithaq" conducted an interview with Dr. Wahiba Far'e, former Minister of Human Rights.
What are the major risks facing Yemeni women due to the current situation?
It is evident that women bear the greatest burden in wars due to the losses they face and the responsibilities placed on them due to the loss of the breadwinner, the end of income sources, and the risks associated with displacement. Dr. Wahiba, in your opinion, what are the major risks facing Yemeni women due to the current situation?
- Women bear the greatest burden in this aggression due to the poverty they face, the responsibilities, the end of income sources, and displacement. Women are the weakest element in this absurd aggression experienced by Yemen. Women suffer from loss because they have lost their husbands, children, families, homes, stability, and security. Women were the backbone of this society. If we have troubled this backbone and exposed it to all these dangers, what can we expect from a war-torn society? A society that is not safe, a society where women suffer because they are the most giving and sacrificing at all times. Women suffer not only from the loss of the breadwinner, the end of income sources, and displacement, but also because they see that the aggression has deeply wounded this society, before affecting their security, stability, and lives. This has been happening for many years. Families and mothers build generations and build a nation, and this war comes to destroy all their hopes, stability, and women.
Women have suffered and continue to suffer greatly due to the decline in health and educational services. They also suffer from the economic scarcity they have come to live on, as well as the loss of the breadwinner who had to leave their family to join the army and the convoys of martyrs. Their children have left school and become fuel for this war. Why? This is the question here! The risks we are experiencing now are expected to lead to many social tragedies when the wheels of war stop, and people look around and find their homes empty, either due to displacement or the loss of fathers or mothers. The bombing that has targeted homes and the entire country has not spared a single house or road, leaving the country in ruins. We do not know why there is so much hatred against Yemen as a country, a people, a civilization, a history, and Yemen as a symbol of peace and humanity. Yes, there are risks and difficulties facing women that will require them to rebuild everything from scratch. When they start rebuilding, it will require time, patience, effort, and money, and we do not know where this war and the corruption of its warlords will lead us.
What are the major obstacles to the scientific, cultural, and political progress of Yemeni women?
- There are many because Yemeni women have managed, thanks to the democratic direction - a nascent democracy - to gain some rights and reach high political positions. They have established their presence and identity in economic independence and working in the highest educational, legal, and social institutions. They have achieved much, most notably the increase in the number of educated women and female graduates, and higher education for females. Women have truly become a pillar for men and an indispensable element of development. They are no longer viewed as inactive members, but they have proven to be influential in all areas of economic and social life. All of this is thanks to the revolution and the republic; without them, women would not have achieved what they have. We lived through these periods, attended schools from the beginning of the revolution, and managed to fully obtain our educational rights and opportunities, reaching the highest levels of education and fulfilling our roles. We also achieved something more important: planting new seeds and creating new pioneers who managed to establish this geometric progression in the presence of Yemeni women pioneers. In this war, women were truly the most affected social elements, and at the same time, they were the most resilient human elements in society. We ask God for this resilience to continue, for women to continue in their performance and abilities, and to achieve what they have achieved, maintain it, and bring about the best.
What are the implications of the 58th anniversary of the September 26 and October revolutions in light of the difficult circumstances the country is going through, and what is required from various entities to renew their commitment to the values and ideals of the revolution?
- I believe that the revolution is what we have seen, felt, and achieved in terms of schools, universities, roads, and hospitals. The revolution that started cannot merely be words for fifty years. Fifty years of revolution have been building and growth. Undoubtedly, like any revolution, it had its mistakes, as do all experiences worldwide that nations go through. But it is enough for us to be proud that it was a revolution against injustice, poverty, and ignorance. It was able to create new values and produce new literature. We consider ourselves part of the revolution's generation who learned from our parents the meaning of deprivation they experienced, and we found ourselves growing with the revolution, moving with it, and being active with it and with development. We are the product of this revolution, whether we are male or female, boys or girls. The revolution was directed towards us so we could rise and become a nation with its own status among the countries of the world.
The revolution was for everyone, and women were among the groups that benefited from the revolution. They benefited in education, health, political practice, and democracy. We cannot talk about the revolution without discussing its effects on society. We all aspire to peace, goodness, development, equality, justice, and the exit from the dark tunnel that our parents suffered from. This is the revolution: actual and continuous change, of which we are the tools, whether we are men or women.
Women struggle to escape the confinement some parties have placed them in, seeing them only as voters and not as leaders. What message do you have for these parties and groups?
- For a long time, we have been advocating for women to go beyond the role of voting without being voted for, to participate in parties as members but not as leaders. The reason is that Yemeni parties in our society have aged and grown old. We have not found a party in Yemen that has held genuine democratic elections and changed its leadership. If it had, Yemeni women might have reached the party leadership ranks in Yemeni society. But we found that many parties use the slogans of progressivism and change only as a cover. However, their practices are far removed from this reality. I hope that the parties will evaluate and renew themselves by re-electing their leadership because some of these parties have had leaders for 30-40 years and speak of an unchanged political system. Why don't we start by changing and updating and evaluating our party structures? Our contributions should be real, and the party should not be a tool for extorting the government. A party should oppose and criticize policies and work to make real, fundamental changes in levels of justice, democracy, rights, and freedoms concerning individuals and society. But for a party to be a tool of political extortion to achieve personal gains, these are not parties, and I don't think that women can achieve anything through them. Unless these parties can change themselves, nothing will change in the political reality, and the parties will remain as they are, not fulfilling their role, neither as allies nor opponents of the government, but just a tool for political extortion to achieve personal gains, ending at that point.
The society's view of women's roles is still somewhat limited. What can be done to correct this perception?
- I think the war has shaken society greatly, causing significant fractures and regression in values, and a setback in the achievements made by women. For example, the legal status of women has deteriorated, with widespread violations such as violence against women and children, evasion of court judgments by some who engage in arrogance and criminality, usurping women's inheritances, assaulting them, and even killing them. If we were to count the problems now, we would find that the seismic impact of the war has been felt by the Yemeni family and values, which is the most dangerous aspect. Women, who were once looked upon with great respect and esteem, are now treated like any other entity in the country, subjected to pressure and assault without societal protection that used to exist. The community once protected women, values, and childhood. Unfortunately, in this war, we cannot talk about many value-related issues that we feel are being lost due to the absence of legal and social frameworks that prevent such violations against women. Therefore, there is no specific remedy to change society's view of women. We must overcome this violent explosion in society, this earthquake that has occurred, this assault on Yemeni society, its history, civilization, values, and humanity. Many things the Yemeni street and values do not recognize as existing. Protecting women is part of societal values that cannot be abandoned. But what is happening now is that everyone is preoccupied with the war. The absence of judiciary and legal procedures related to protection is not sufficiently available, which undoubtedly affected women's status. We hope this situation does not last long, as it will significantly impact Yemeni women's lives in the future, and this is not acceptable.
To what extent has our country benefited from successful external experiences aimed at enhancing the role of women, and what is required for better benefit?
- We unfairly judge Yemeni society because the benefits gained have come from exchanging experiences between our country and advanced countries, especially in the Arab states that preceded us in education or organizing legislation regarding women's protection and rights, political participation, social participation, and roles in the educational and health fields, which women have broadly engaged in, not only in Yemen. Yemen has provided an experience that did not only benefit from others but also presented a model to the Arab world. Yemen had many jobs once monopolized by men, which Yemeni women reached. In the early 1960s, there were female lawyers in the southern regions and female judges. After the unification, women reached the judiciary, became pilots, and participated in various state defense institutions in military aviation and other fields, especially in the southern regions. Yemeni women also reached the Shura Council and Parliament, becoming the first female minister in Yemeni society, the first university president, the first dean, and provided a remarkable model that benefited many Arab countries, particularly the Gulf region. Yemen had the first female judges, pilots, university professors, and college deans, entering deep into society and setting a positive example. Not all that we took from Arab societies benefited us, but we enriched Arab societies with our history, experiences, and struggles as women who have achieved much in this region of the Arabian Peninsula. Yemeni women have been leaders, fighters, and the voice of truth against colonialism, interference, ignorance, backwardness, and disease. There are many stories from the history of the revolution and the republic. Yemeni women have presented models to the Arab world, not merely as recipients but as contributors to these societies. Yemen was the second country in the Arabian Peninsula to have the first female ambassador and minister, surpassing the Gulf states.
We have our unique history, like Queen Bilqis and Queen Arwa bint Ahmed al-Sulayhi. Yemeni society is distinguished, with a rich history where women are considered a noble and sophisticated example, not only in the Arab world but globally. Yemeni women have become a symbol of Yemen, and the world knows our country through them.
We have heard more than once that the UN envoy has met with women's groups to formulate a vision for a solution and bring peace to Yemen. What role can women play in the peace-building process in Yemen?
- We do not place much hope on Griffiths' meetings with some Yemeni women to bring about peace. In my personal view, these meetings are merely publicity stunts, with no real impact or effectiveness. Secondly, it is known that the United Nations has not been able to provide solutions in Yemen, so it cannot give what it does not have. The meetings with Yemeni women and organizations are generally aimed at gathering information to present the world with the suffering of Yemenis in these circumstances, which is a good thing. But there is no one who can set solutions for Yemenis, and Yemeni women, regarding what should be in their country. The solution is Yemeni, and Yemenis are capable of finding the Yemeni solution, not through any other entities, especially if these entities are not entirely sincere in their work with Yemeni society during this war.
We have significant grievances with all UN programs in Yemen concerning aid, relief, assistance, and external support, much of which is unsatisfactory and unconvincing. I believe the solutions will eventually be Yemeni, and women's roles are no less important than men's in achieving peace and supporting a peace project based on justice, rights, sovereignty, considering the country, and rebuilding it. It should not be through the Saudi Reconstruction Fund. The reconstruction issue is different; for Saudi Arabia to rebuild Yemen after destroying it is unacceptable, especially since their "Saudi Reconstruction Fund" receives money from all over the world for Yemen and does not put any Saudi money into it for that purpose. What Saudi Arabia is doing by painting some schools and distributing some aid packages does not represent reconstruction or support; it is rather a belittling and undermining of the UN's role in Yemen, which has not protected civilians as it should and has not taken civilians' rights from their usurpers as required. Therefore, I am not optimistic about this role. I did not want to answer and address the UN's role, but the question provoked me. The truth is that the UN envoy's meetings are nothing but publicity and showcasing, presenting the UN envoy as a person who provides solutions through women and organizations. All of this has no real foundation, and we do not find any tangible reality in the UN's work, which operates in a condescending manner in a country being killed from all directions, with its economy collapsing, its history destroyed, and its culture looted, while the UN and the UN Secretary-General's envoy watch.
There are laws that oppress women and do not give them full rights. How necessary is it to review these laws?
- A good question. The truth is, I have not seen in our Yemeni laws anything that oppresses women. We found excellent laws, but we found practices that have nothing to do with these laws. There is a gap between legislation and implementation regarding women's rights in general. When we ask about the reason for this disparity between law and practice, we hear that it is due to customs, traditions, and societal constraints. For example, concerning inheritance rights, the law grants them full rights, but what happens when some individuals or families prevent this right from reaching their sisters and daughters under the pretext that she "will inherit it for someone else"? Isn't this manipulation of the law? You can apply this to many other issues. Whether it concerns economic and social rights, they are there, and a significant struggle is needed to achieve social justice and equality in society regarding rights and duties between women and men. This is something I don't think conflicts with Islamic Sharia, our principles, or religious concepts, as they stem from the core of the religion of truth, justice, and equality—Islam.
As for the organizations and civil frameworks concerned with women, this is a long discussion. In Yemeni society, we started with women's associations from the 1970s until the mid-1980s when the Yemeni Women's Union was established. Then came the National Women's Committee, followed by several women's organizations concerned with women, their development, political participation, and enabling them to attain their social roles, such as political participation in various state frameworks. Their role has been significant and great, and some still carry this message, even though they are unable to achieve anything amid the current conditions and the effects of the war we live in, and the Yemeni society lives through. An unjust war has affected many of its institutions, organizations, civil mechanisms, and tools it seeks to develop society. There is nothing more to say than that achieving peace is the first requirement. I cannot imagine that a society living in war will be able to achieve anything for women, children, men, or society as a whole. We are a country subjected to daily aggression and an unjust war that consumes everything good and beautiful in this country. What are we waiting for?!! Evaluating social work organizations in the fields of women, they live under war, siege, and bombardment like all civil organizations. Thus, we expect their roles to be limited to alleviating women's pains and suffering and attempting to find possible economic alternatives to raise women's living standards and defend their rights. These are the roles that women's organizations can play, which do not replace the role of human rights organizations and state institutions in protecting women and their children and fulfilling their roles according to the law, constitution, and the treaties that Yemen has signed.
A final word you would like to direct to women throughout the governorates of the Republic?
- My final word is not only addressed to women but to the entire society, stressing the importance of holding on to national unity, the goals of September and October, the National Pact, and everything that brings us closer as parties, individuals, groups, and factions. This is the foundation for forming a state of free and equal citizenship and a state of just democratic society, God willing. I say, "Patience is the key to relief," and we hope that some initiatives will emerge on the horizon, possibly serving as an entry point for peace in Yemen, and that we live up to the national responsibility. We hope that Yemenis, both men and women, will view this harsh experience as an imposed experience, prompting more brotherhood, cooperation, and empathy among themselves. In addition, national unity is required, and sincerity, patience, and sacrifice are also needed. We hope that this senseless war will end with lasting peace for Yemen, freedom for all Yemenis, and the beginning of a new era promising good and peace for Yemen. May parties, organizations, and individuals learn that national brotherhood and patriotism are the foundations of our existence among nations, the foundation of our identity, progress, and development. We also hope not to neglect education and our culture. We know that the suffering everyone is experiencing, including us, due to the lack of salaries and the shortage of services, is not an individual issue but affects everyone. We hope that every responsible person and every individual who loves Yemen will prioritize these issues related to people's income, economy, and achieving income for them, as this is the foundation for resilience and survival and the foundation for preventing many societal crimes committed in the name of poverty.
Thank you for giving me this opportunity, and may every September, October, and all of Yemen, from north to south and east to west, be filled with goodness, health, and peace.