Yemen

Yemen, located on the Arabian Peninsula, is one of the oldest centers of civilization in the Middle East, with a history dating back almost 3,000 years. In 1990, the Republic of Yemen underwent political reforms and took steps toward a government with a democratic system. With a mostly agrarian society, Yemen is still one of the least-developed countries in the world, according to the United Nations. The birth growth rate is 3.5 percent, which is one of the highest in the world.

Pre-Islamic and Islamic history demonstrates that women played substantial roles and held an elevated status in Yemeni culture. However, today Yemeni women face many obstacles in efforts to reach gender equality and empowerment as well as legal implementation and protections for women are very poor. Women don't have as many rights as men in Yemen's Personal Status Law, which governs matters of marriage, divorce, child custody, and inheritance. A woman in Yemen is not recognized as a full person before the court. A woman's freedom of movement is also restricted by family traditions and Yemeni laws. While women are allowed to vote, women's equality continues to be impeded in a society in which social mores and norms are regulated by a largely agrarian, tribal, and patriarchal culture. There are fewer than 10 percent of women employed, and many families deny girls the right to an education for cultural or economic reasons. A woman's guardian can also prevent her from pursuing an education or employment, and may even restrict her ability to leave the home without permission.

There is no minimum age of marriage, and many rural families marry off their daughters at an early age. A woman's guardian must conclude her marriage contract according to the unified Personal Status Law. Most marriages take place in the home, and a man is allowed up to four wives at one time. A woman is legally obligated to do housework. Rights are not equal in divorce cases. A woman must litigate in court and present adequate justification in order to have the marriage contract nullified. The only reason a woman can initiate a divorce is if the woman's husband has a defect or dangerous disease.

Most women give birth at home. Working pregnant women are granted 60 days of maternity leave with full pay and 20 additional days in the case of a caesarean delivery or the birth of twins. Yemen's labor laws restrict a woman's working hours from eight to five hours beginning in the sixth month of [Page 1288]pregnancy and continuing up until six months following the delivery. Yemen's labor laws also stipulate that any institution or company with more than 50 female employees is required to set up a children's nursery. Contraceptives are available and sold over the counter. The Health Ministry offers free birth control services. A recent study (2007) indicated only 32 percent of married Yemeni women use some method of contraceptives. A husband must make the decision on the use of contraceptives. Abortion is illegal, except in cases involving serious health risks for the mother.

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