In many areas across Yemen, it is still difficult for women to work. It can even be shameful to be a working woman, especially if the woman works in a mixed place or in a market. In my village, women only work on the land and there are essentially no girls who have completed their schooling. There are only two or three families in my area who have urged their daughters to complete their education.
I am actually the first girl in my tribe to complete higher education and work in the humanitarian field. I have thus challenged the societal restrictions and, as a result, also received a huge amount of criticism for doing so. Unfortunately, the threat of violence has recently forced me to limit my outspokenness.
These days, the idea that it is shameful for women to work in mixed places, walk in the streets with their faces uncovered, or leaving the house without a male chaperone, or a mahram, still prevails.
I have for long been trying to counter social taboos here in Yemen and going my own way. Unsurprisingly, I have faced difficulties and obstacles along the way. In some areas, I had to wear the niqab, a face-covering veil, to be able to carry out my work and obtain acceptance from locals. It also prevented me from being subject to verbal abuse or even violence.
My father is the one who always encouraged me to try to overcome social taboos. He was my motivation when everyone else was against me, including my own brothers. My mother on the other hand was fearful of how society might react to my independent nature. Despite the resistance, however, my father would continue to encourage me to work, travel and be independent.
I believe a stable upbringing based on trust and freedom helps young girls to overcome taboos, difficulties and spur their independence. The values and beliefs held by the parents are of course also key. By being a working woman, I have illustrated to families in my conservative community that it is not shameful in any way for women to work. I think I have contributed greatly to changing the perspectives and views of many families in my area.
