Yemeni Women

Sometimes I am asked how women live in this country. This isn't an easy question because there are huge differences in lifestyle among Yemeni women. Women in the countryside (which is where the majority of people live) are usually uneducated but have a lot of knowledge that city-women lack. Think of agriculture and the keeping of goats, chickens, cows, sheep, or even bees (depending on the area). They often know about herbs and their medicinal qualities, can make ghee out of milk by hand, and can manage perfectly well without electricity. They work hard, these village-women, because there's always plenty to do.
City-women, on the other hand, depend greatly on electrical appliances in their housework, like washing-machines, water-heaters, or mixers in the kitchen. They don't have to bake bread every day since it's sold at the shop around the corner. They don't need to get water at the pump or firewood. Therefore, they have much more free time, which they spend watching TV, attending wedding-parties, or chewing qat. Rich families may have maids to do the housework, which gives the women even more spare time.
Some city-women, especially the younger generation, study or work - mainly in education and medicine. There are many female doctors, dentists, and nurses, for example. There are also some centers for adult-education, where women may learn how to read and write, memorize Quran, or learn how to sew.
In short, it is impossible to talk about 'the' Yemeni woman. The place of residence, level of education, and financial situation greatly influence their life-style.