Yemeni women expressed their
happiness of the constitutional amendments that gives them 44 seats in the
parliament. They described this move as great move for the Yemeni democratic
experience and big achievement for the Yemeni woman and boosting her existence
in decision making places.
In their talk to the 26
september.net, they affirmed that this achievement is considered a translation
to the president's electoral program and demanded the parliament to unanimously
approve these amendments and starting implementing them in the forthcoming
parliamentary elections.Chairwoman of the Yemeni Women Union
Ramziah al-Eryani described the project of the constitutional amendments as big
and positive move in the path of enabling women politically and in
participation in decision making. She added that this move is a translation to
the program of president who affirmed on allocating 15 percent of the
parliament seats to women." I hope they are approved by
the parliament and be implemented from the coming April because some leading
women fear that this quota will not be implemented under the pretext of looking
for mechanisms for their implementation and we say there are mechanisms some
countries, like Egypt, preceded us."Al-Eryani hoped there have to be
training courses to the Supreme Committee for Elections and Referendum to
benefit from other experiences in this field and keep pace with countries that
worked in allocating seats for women in the parliament.For her part, Rashida al-Hamadani,
the deputy Chairwomen of Woman National Committee considered the constitutional
amendments as great achievement to Yemeni woman. "Woman frequently asks
for this demand and heads for such chance. It is really valuable chance for
woman to prove her efficiency."She hoped that woman's demands on
expanding her political participation are realized to reach to decision making
as this added to national interests and boost Yemen's democracy.Head of Yemen Woman Union in Sa'ada
Amat al-Bari Amer said allocating 44 seats of the parliament to woman is
considered positive move, woman has aspired for and sought for reaching
decision making places. She added that no doubt that her existence in the
parliament has great importance in tackling woman's issues and improving the
political system as well as enhancing chances of her participation in the political
arena. As she is near to woman's issues and understanding well creating
solutions, active participation to change woman's position in Yemen to better
level is a must.Ayeda Ashor, the Head of Woman
National Committee in al-Dhale' commended the move."We received the project of
constitutional amendments happily and thanks to the president for giving us
this attention and this chance he grants woman," she said."Woman is capable to practice
her nomination right and to express her voice strongly in the parliament. She
is also able to handle her own issues because she is more close to woman in
that."She further said I hope that the
parliament unanimously approve the amendments project and do justice to woman
in giving her a chance to expand her political participation and reaching
decision making place as she will be active member.Head of Yemeni Woman Union in Aden
Fatima al-Muraisi expressed happiness for the proposed 44 seats for woman in
the parliament. She said this comes from the deep believe of the president in
woman role and her contribution in political life and development."The generous presidential
support comes in a time when we, the women, are demanding it in all forums.
This aspiration has been realized by our president Ali Abdullah Saleh.
Actually, approving this constitutional amendment will silence those who play
with woman's issues and those who seek to bring the homeland into
constitutional vacuum. As we did realize the democracy's foundations, we call
on all to yield to voting polls and participate in the elections," she
said.