Being Female in Yemen

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...

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

and see the beautiful wonders of Yemen

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