This is Shooq
And I'm living normally as a Yemen Woman.
[Music]
This young woman comes from the south coastal town called Mukalla
And it's been a very rough few years living through this grueling civil war.
On April 2, 2015 Al-Qaeda attacked the central Bank
and seized millions of U.S. Dollars before taking control of the Presidential Palace
Soon after, the entire city of Mukalla was under their control.
Schools were shut, offices were closed
and many people were virtually locked inside of their homes for 6 months.
But that was 4 years ago, and now, daily life has gotten back to normal.
Life is so safe, we are like...
the safest government in Yemen
and we are having our normal life.
Shrooq is back in school and doing very well.
I'm studying Architecture and Environmental Planning.
And you're also studying English?
I'm not Studying English
You just learned it
like you're brilliant?
Yeah, I got it from Disney Channel.
Which movies?
Hannah Montana...
Yeah, exactly
When we think about Yemen
We tend to think about war and terrorism.
That's exactly what I thought before arriving here...
But things in Hadhramaut at least, the region that we are currently in
seems to be going okay
Sure, there's a lot of police checkpoints and security,
but what I've been seeing is markets that are lively,
late night concerts that are crowded
and a riverside that is charming
The city is honestly beautiful
People are out and about on the streets, just like in your hometown.
Okay, let's get back on topic to Shrooq and her role in Yemeni society.
There's no denying that being a female here overall
isn't as easy as in the Western World.
There are many restrictions revolving around religion and tradition
Which can be discussed in a separate video
but she's doing everything in her power to fight it
starting with showing her face
because about 99% of women in her city keep it completely covered
I'm showing who I am and my identity
as simple as that, that's how it should be
In my vision, women are half of the society.
so women trying to do what men can do here
so me and my friends and a lot of women do the same what men can do
working, studying, having our activities
a lot of normal things to have a normal life
Shrooq and a couple of her girlfriends
started an activists club in Yemen called Takween
which revives culture in Hadhramaut
We are doing like a... musician nights, movie nights, discussion books
also we care about how we can develop ourselves as youth
to build our own area, small area to live in peace.
It's amazing how they're all so fluent in English
Hi, I'm Najat
Hi my name is Shrooq
Hi I'm Sara
Hello I'm Safa
When I'm hanging out with them, I feel like I'm home in the U.S.
hanging out with my friends.
And believe it or not, being a woman in Yemen does have its benefits
Yeah, women go to the next level... (laughing)
I've spent the last 24 hours with these girls
and I'm amazed by the priorities they have
especially with policemen
In our society, a society filled with traditions and culture
they believe that they should take care and everyone should take care of women
because women like, um, need to be protected
yeah, during this messed up situation
It's good to be a woman
in checkpoints and those things in lines and that things.
Najat stopped by there, but there so crowded
so he said, okay we'll make the place for you Najat... Who said?... The policeman
The policeman? They let you come in?
Women next level... Yeah, women, queens!
It's great to see Shrooq and her friends paving the way for the future of Yemen
They are so sweet and so sincere
and I really hope the situation clears up
so more people can experience their hospitality
and see the beautiful wonders of Yemen
We're trying to have a normal life here
despite everything happened
here in Mukalla, we have a simple normal life
Amazing, Thank you
I'm Drew Binsky, and if you like my travel videos, please click subscribe and
join me as I plan to visit every country in the world