SEMC TO IMPLEMENT PROGRAMME ON WORKING WOMEN'S RIGHTS

SANA'A, May 02 (Saba) - The Sana'a-based Studies and Economic Media Center (SEMC) is planning to implement a project on working women's rights in the country in cooperation with Canada Fund for Local Initiatives (CFLI).

In a press release, the SEMC said on Saturday that the project aims to spread awareness of women rights among over 3,000 women working in 30 public, private and mixed institutions and raise knowledge of Yemeni staff of working women rights.

Mr. Mustaf Naser, SEMC chairman, said the project includes holding training courses for female journalists, lawyers and civil society activists and setting up a network of 25 working women rights activists of Civil Society Organizations.

It will also include training courses for 25 activists on organizing advocacy campaigns in favor of working women.

Political and economic officer at the Riyadh-based Embassy of Canada
Mr. Ivan Macintosh said the programme seeks to solve the problem of woman quitting work and staying home.

He added that another objective of the programme is to spread awareness among young working women of the importance of using laws to protect themselves from abuse and loss of rights, and establishing union committees to defend such women.

Mr. Ahmed Al-Yamani, CFLI coordinator in Yemen, confirmed that one of the main obstacles to a woman work is the ignorance of her legal rights.

Al-Yamani added that this programme will enhance the woman participation in the country's economy in order to contribute to alleviating poverty within Yemeni families.

CFLI is working with various NGOs to improve economic, cultural and social life in Yemen and help Yemenis create a democratic and responsible society that is capable of fulfilling its commitments.

YA