Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
03SANAA2428
2003-09-28 12:00:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Sanaa
Cable title:  

DEMOCRACY SMALL GRANT FOR THE NATIONAL WOMEN

Tags:  KDEM KPAO AFIN KWMN PHUM YM HUMAN RIGHTS 
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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 SANAA 002428 

SIPDIS

FOR NEA/PPD:DMACINNES, JKINCANNON, JDAVIES,
NEA/RA:BKEARY, NEA/ARP: MMILLER

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KDEM KPAO AFIN KWMN PHUM YM HUMAN RIGHTS
SUBJECT: DEMOCRACY SMALL GRANT FOR THE NATIONAL WOMEN
COMMITTEE/ ADEN

REF: A) STATE 187026 B) SANAA 5295

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 SANAA 002428

SIPDIS

FOR NEA/PPD:DMACINNES, JKINCANNON, JDAVIES,
NEA/RA:BKEARY, NEA/ARP: MMILLER

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KDEM KPAO AFIN KWMN PHUM YM HUMAN RIGHTS
SUBJECT: DEMOCRACY SMALL GRANT FOR THE NATIONAL WOMEN
COMMITTEE/ ADEN

REF: A) STATE 187026 B) SANAA 5295


1. Embassy Sanaa requests funding for a grant from the
NEA Democracy Small Grants Program to the "National Women
Committee/ Aden" to conduct the "Early Marriage
Phenomenon Study and Awareness Workshop."


2. The National Women Committee is quasi-governmental
and receives much of its funding from the ROYG, and its
head in Sanaa is government-appointed. In most other
respects, it functions as an NGO and works closely with
women's NGOs throughout Yemen. The fact that it is well
organized and properly staffed gives us confidence that
the Aden branch will be able to implement this project.


3. Project description: The project titled "Early
Marriage Phenomenon Study and Awareness Workshop" will
address the early marriage phenomenon and risks and
effects, among young girls in the rural areas of 6
southern governorates:
Lahj, Abyan, Adhalie, Hadramout, Shabwa and Almahra.
The study will focus on how early marriage is denying the
rights of young girls and preventing them from enjoying
the life of childhood, education, freedom to choose their
partners, and the right to build their personalities.
The study will search this phenomenon and call for
identifying such problem, its causes, and impacts on
family conditions. A discussion group will be formed to
discuss the study results and work on the formulation of
adequate solutions that eradicate this phenomenon, with
the cooperation of all concerned, the government, civil
society, individuals, NGO's and International donors.
The purpose of such cooperation is to ensure that women
in general and young girls in particular are enjoying
their rights and promote the exercise of these rights
without violence.
Discussion groups will include judges, lawyers, religious
men, doctors and specialist groups such as social
experts, psychologists and social leaders.
Following the research and study team, public awareness
mobile workshops will be organized by the specialist
team, visiting the families in the study areas, girls
schools and women centers. The purpose of this method is
to educate and make the public aware about the risks and
impact of this phenomenon on both sexes, and to get their
comments and opinions. This method is considered to be
participatory.
Workshop will use posters and signs to get the message
across and reach people.


4. Project objectives:
-To raise awareness about early marriage risks.
-To assert girls right to education


5. Project justification: Yemen has one of the highest
rates of early girl marriages in the region due to strict
traditions that make parents the ultimate decision
makers. According to traditions, parents in most Yemeni
provinces especially in poor and tribal remote areas,
take their daughters out of school and force them into
marriage either to follow family tradition, or to get the
marriage dowry which will help the family economically.
The continuation of this tradition has caused many risks
to young girls whose rights to education, freedom of
expression and choice have been violated. It also has
affected their physical well being since they bear
children at a young age and are unable to cope with
marriage responsibility, therefore get divorced and bear
the social and economical responsibilities of their
circumstances.

Project supports mission key MPP goal of promoting girls
rights to education, freedom of choice and intellectual
and physical development.


6. The total amount requested for this project is US
DOLS 9247


7. Project dates: March-December 03


8. Budget details:

6 Governorates study research needs:
Questionnaires for six selected areas (200 x 6)
1200
Transportation for questionnaire distribution
600
Researchers fees (100 x 12 two for each governorate)
1200
Discussion group meeting needs:
Discussion team fees (10 experts x 60) 600
Workshop needs in six governorates:
3 lecturers in each governorate (3 x 70 x 3 days x 6
governorates) 3780
Awareness messages posters (100 x 6 governorates)
600
Coordinator fees for the project 500
Administrative Fees 767
Total 9247
HULL