The involvement of Yemeni women in independent business and their participation in the development process through the establishment of small businesses is limited by some norms in Yemeni society* according to a new study.Awareness of the importance of women?s participation in business is increasing in Yemeni society where a poor economic situation has obliged all members of society - including women- to work in different fields* observers have said.However* Yemeni social norms still represent an important obstacle to women who run small and larger independent businesses* and prevent their full participation in the development process. Public opinion varies with regard to Yemeni women?s participation in independent business. While some believe that women can be active and successful in independent business* others think that women should concentrate on other tasks.Rahma Al-Shawish* a journalist* confirms that a woman can make a great success in business* even on the level of huge institutions. She pointed out that a lot of women in Yemen who run private projects and companies in spite of the obstacles they encounter. "There are obstacles that hinder women from continuing work in independent business*" said Al-Shawish. "The most important are lack of financial support and elements of planning for business. In addition* there are social norms that don?t accept the work of women in business* which prompt them to be restricted to small projects."Some Yemeni families have apprehensions that their daughters may be subjected to indecent behavior and fraud by employees who work in the institutions run by women. Widad Mohammed* a housewife* maintains that the reason behind that is that a woman in the Yemeni society is deemed weak."I think that women have only recently imposed themselves in business in Yemeni society due to the difficult living standards in Yemeni families?* says Mohamed."A Yemeni woman can succeed in a small project* but it is difficult for a woman to achieve success in running huge institutions since she is socially weak and* consequently* may be exploited by personnel of the institution* particularly if a woman lacks adequate experience*? she added.While some people partially reject that a woman run an independent business due to the problems she may face* others completely reject the participation of women in business for moral reasons.Ahmed Ali* owner of a stationary shop* believes that it is not necessary that a woman take part in independent business. "A man is more competent and capable of dealing with different the different challenges of business*? Ali said. "If a woman were to run a huge institution* she would have to deal with customers and competitors in the market and might be subjected to immoral treatment*? he added.Women who run independent businesses or hold management positions in different institutions are of a different opinion."No one can deny that a woman is capable of working in the field of business* both on small and big projects*" says Awatif Al-Sharjabi* director of the international cooperation unit in the Yemeni Authority for Specifications and Standards. "Yemeni women are active in different fields and can excel if they have a strong will* experience and financial support*? she said* however adding that a man?s support in legal and consultancy matters is however necessary. Asked about immoral behavior encountered in the workplace* a female manager of a small project said: "I haven?t so far faced any immoral acts by customers against women in business* but I believe this depends on a woman?s personality. If a woman is honest and behaves in accordance with Islamic principles* she will be met by respect from all people.?She further maintained that a woman can impose herself in the market if she is experienced and has the practical skills needed to run her business* and noted that the market doesn?t differentiate between males and females since the obstacles facing both are similar. Najat Juma'an* a professor in the Faculty of Commerce at Sana'a University and a prominent businesswoman* confirmed the amount of opportunities for the integration of women in business* but pointed out that the number of women present in the field was limited because of social obstacles that confine women's work to housework. She called on Yemeni women to challenge these social misconceptions through hard work and the will to gain experience of laws and government policy related to business. For his part* Abdul Hakim Al-Sharjabi* professor of sociology at Sana'a University* maintained that efforts should be exerted to change misconceptions detrimental to women in the workplace* stressing the role of mass media in this regard. He called for awareness campaigns to confirm the importance of women?s participation in free business* and prove their ability to excel in the market while keeping to the principles of Islam.According to a study conducted by Fawziah Nasher* director of the Businesswomen Office in Yemen* Yemeni businesswomen face obstacles related to absence of training in trade and lack of capital as obtaining loans from banks is difficult. Rashida Al-Hamadani* head of the National Committee for Women* made clear that the committee had conducted a study in cooperation with the World Bank to address the obstacles that hinder women in the economic field. She said that the study would be published as soon as data analysis is completed. Huriah Mshur* vice-head of the National Committee for Women* sad that she hoped that the number of Yemeni businesswomen would increase in order for Yemeni women to play their role properly in the society. She further said that* if a businesswoman excels in her business* there is nothing stopping her from reaching positions of economic decision-making....

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