Ray of hope Saturday, 08 October 2011 02:55

The Arab Spring movement is gaining momentum. The acknowledgement of the Nobel Committee to award Peace Prize to Yemen’s outspoken journalist and human rights activist Tawakul Karman is proof that a woman’s fight for rights, equality and justice cannot be suppressed for long. An inspiration to many women, Karman is the first Arab woman to win the prize. The committee said Karman won the Prize for her “non-violent struggle for the safety of women”. The 32-year-old is fiercely protective of Yemen’s youth, decrying a leadership that she says has robbed her generation of not only their future, but also their honour and their dignity. On hearing the news, she said: ”Thank God for this victory. I dedicate this victory to all the youth of the Arab Spring, to the memories of the martyrs, to the injured and all the activists. I am totally overwhelmed, not only because of the prize but because of the dreams of freedom and dignity.”

Tawakul is the founder of Women Journalists Without Chains (WJWC), a non-governmental organisation set up to promote human rights and freedom of information. When the Arab Spring broke out, WJWC joined protesters demanding justice and the removal of President Ali Abdullah Saleh. However, Tawakul advocates non-violence and her goal is to promote the status of women. Illiteracy among women is a whopping 67 percent. Karman’s organisation has challenged traditional customs, tried to stop child brides, and opened literacy classes for girls whilst pushing women to demand their rights. She is one of only 13 women members on the Shura Council of the Islah opposition party.

Inspired by the uprising in Tunisia and the resignation of Hosni Mubarak in Egypt, Karman finds herself at the head of a popular protest movement which is shaking the Yemeni regime to its core. Her tireless campaigning has earned her international acclaim.  In recognition of her work, she received the International Woman of Courage Award in March 2010.  Karman has been jailed several times over her campaigns for press freedom and her opposition to the government. She advises all activists, men and women, to never give up and to work together so that they are able to make real change. Encouraging freedom of expression, she sees, is the first and far most important way to achieve change in a society. Her special advice for women is not to wait for permission before they demand their rights. There is a large number of educated women who are qualified and capable and they should participate in the public and political life. Her dream is for Yemen to become a democratic, free, and prosperous country where everyone enjoys equal rights. The day is not far when Yemenis will see democracy and freedom taking its roots.