Local businesswomen face obstacles, study finds

Yemini businesswomen have difficulties asserting themselves in the male-dominated public sphere, according to a study published last week by a leading academic. Najat Jumaan, a professor of administration at Sana'a University and a businesswoman in her own right undertook the study. “Businesspeople are supposed to do administrative work, decide company strategy, establish all manner of contacts, make decisions and move from place to place according to the needs of their firms,” the study states. “All these activities are in conflict with Yemeni culture, which restricts women’s activities to the house.” According to government data, women currently represent only 23 percent of the labour force. Another recent study conducted by the Centre for Women’s Studies and Development found that there were only 232 active businesswomen in the three main Yemeni cities of Aden, Sana and Taiz. Jumaan’s survey found that the overriding challenge facing would-be businesswomen was an inability to obtain the necessary financing to set up businesses amid a male-dominated culture, in which capital has traditionally remained in men’s hands. The study further found that women were confined to a relatively small number of business ventures, which included establishing clinics, medical laboratories, private schools and cosmetic or clothing shops. “Women are likely to face objection from their families if they contemplate starting ventures engaged in commerce, real estate, construction or telecommunications,” said Huryah Mashhoor, deputy chairperson of the Women’s National Committee. “Even if they join such sectors, their male relatives become executive managers and run the show.” Jumaan, who is deputy chairman of her father’s company, also believes that the reigning political atmosphere – in which men are unanimously the decision makers – serves to affect the business environment. She recommends that businesswomen try and play political roles in order to ensure the support of the political leadership. Her survey also noted that businesswomen face many of the same difficulties experienced by their male counterparts. These included a limited skilled-labour pool and bureaucratic customs and tax authorities. In hopes of helping female entrepreneurs overcome these obstacles, the Yemeni Chamber of Commerce recently established a special office devoted to the affairs of local businesswomen. “Women have been in business for a long time, but their activities need support because their businesses have been small and scattered,” said office head and businesswoman Fawzya Nasher. “We opened this office to help their small businesses grow.”