FINAL REPORT: DEMOCRACY SMALL GRANT FOR THE WOMEN'S

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 SANAA 000329 SIPDIS FOR NEA/PPD:DMACINNES AND JDAVIES, NEA/RA:BKEARY, NEA/ARP: MMILLER E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: KDEM KPAO AFIN KWMN PHUM YM DEMOCRATIC REFORM HUMAN RIGHTS SUBJECT: FINAL REPORT: DEMOCRACY SMALL GRANT FOR THE WOMEN'S INTEGRATION IN DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION (WIDA) REF: A) STATE 187026 B) SANAA 5295 ¶1. (U) Summary: The Women's Integration in Development Association (WIDA) conducted five workshops on "Democracy and Human Rights Integration in Local Councils" in five Governorates, Al-Baida, Taiz, Mahweet, Lahaj and Sanaa in accordance with the terms of their democracy small grant. Project's opening of the first workshop was attended by Under Secretary of Ministry of Social Affairs, Head and Members of WIDA, local council female members and DCM and PAS from embassy. End Summary. ¶2. (U) The first workshop was conducted July 23-25, 2002 in Radaa city, Al-Baida governorate. The Secretary General of Local Council, Sheikh Ali Nusairi of Radaa city, Head of Education Center and others attended the workshop. The workshop included discussion papers on "Women's Position in Islam" And "Participation of Women in the Political and Public Life". Other discussion papers included: "Human Rights", "Democracy and Women's Role in Democracy Development", "Study of Women Rights Under The HRC", "Women and Election", "International Agreement to End Discrimination Against Women", "Democracy in Yemen and Women Economical and Political Empowerment". A total of twenty- three participants attended this workshop and were actively involved in discussions. ¶3. (U) The second workshop was conducted on July 10-14, 2002 in Sana'a and attended by the members of the Supreme Election Committee, member of the Shura Council, the Under Secretary of Social Affairs, the Deputy Director of the SIPDIS Yemeni Women's Union, the DCM and members of the Public Affairs Section from embassy. Mrs. Fatima Huraibi, the Head of Local Council Committee in Sanaa presented a paper on "Women's Participation in Local Council". The discussion paper generated much attention from the 28 participants who founded the paper inspiring. Participants discussed difficulties they face as women local council members as they are breaking into the traditional governmental male dominant world. Other papers presented were: "Yemeni Women and Social Culture", "Support Women to Exercise Their Rights and Role in Society", "NGOs Roles in the Development Process in a Democratic System", "Disabled Women Rights in the Local Council Agenda". ¶4. (U) The third workshop was conducted on July 21-23, 2002 in Haifan, Taiz. The program included paper presentations and group discussion on "Role of Local Council and Democracy on Improving Women Issues", "Women's Rights in Islamic Laws", "Women Self Empowerment", and "Gender and the Social and Political Roles of Men and Women". ¶5. The fourth workshop was conducted in September 15-17, 2002 in Mahweet. The Governor of Mahweet, members of the local council, heads of political parties, educational and social institutions, PAO John Balian and PAS Salwa Sarhi from the embassy, attended the workshop opening. PAO and PAS also attended the first session of the workshop which included the presentation of a paper by a female member of the Shura Council on "Roles of Political Parties in the Promotion of Women's Political Participation". Other presented papers were "Women Empowerment" and "Local Council and Democracy". ¶6. (U) PAO and PAS visited the historical old city of Mahweet and were hosted by the governor's deputy where the workshop theme was the topic of discussion. The deputy expressed his happiness about the workshop and the efforts made by WIDA to bring women's issues to the front lines. He also explained that women in Yemen have made a remarkable progress in the political life, which makes women's participation in Yemen the best in the region. ¶7. (U) The fifth workshop was conducted 23-25 September 2002 in Lahaj. The workshop's opening day was attended by the Lahaj Governor Mansoor Abduljaleel, the Local Council General Secretary, the General Manager For Social Affairs, members of the local council, NGOs and others. Rasheeda Al-Nusairee, WIDA's trainer and deputy director presented a paper on "Election and Democracy in Yemen". Other papers presented were "Women Issues and Poverty" by Dr. Ebtihaj Al-Khaiba an IV participant and a professor at Aden University. On the third day, a study case presentation of woman who ran for local council elections and won was held. The study case presented the woman's experience as a candidate, as a member of the local council and a decision maker. Participants enjoyed the study case immensely as it touched on the most important issue women face when participating in politics, which is the resistance women face and the limited social settings for women to express and participate with men in discussion and decision-making. ¶8. (U) Outcome: Strengths Workshops reached 300 women in five governorates and received attention from officials and civil society. Some of the speakers were women local council members which gave participants opportunity to listen to their experiences and get first hand information of women's experience in the public and political life. Several district local council members in each governorate attended the workshop and benefited from the subjects presented and the discussions. Participants' evaluations of the workshops were very positive. Participants acknowledged their dire need to these workshops at the governorate levels and the knowledge they gain from them as they touch upon very important and current women issues. Participation of officials in the workshops showed the government's support for women empowerment and development. WIDA's capacity and efficiency in conducting the program in five governorates was evident in the participants' evaluation of the workshops, media coverage and visual and written documentation of the program. ¶9. (U) Outcome: Weaknesses In Taiz governorate, the workshop faced resistance from some officials. However, the workshop was well received among the community. In Lahaj, the general secretary was assigned to present a paper. But the paper was presented by someone else which made discussion of paper subject useless since the general secretary was not present to respond. SIPDIS In Mahweet, participants were less outspoken as the area is still conservative and requires more awareness programs and advocacy in regards to women participation. HULL