President Saleh chairs women organizations meeting in Mukalla

MUKALLA, Feb. 10 (Saba)- President Ali Abdullah Saleh chaired a meeting for women organizations in Mukalla on Thursday. President Saleh, currently in a visit to the southern province of Hadramout, highlighted the high social standing of women and their role in political, and economic life as candidates and voters and other fields of development. “Women are working now in various fields, we encourage them to assume their role as partners in political, social, economic life to build the nation,” he said. He pointed out to the presence of women in the parliament and in NGOs, calling on all political parties to further empower women in decision-making. “After eighteen months, the country will see presidential and local council elections, women can play a great role as voters or candidates, just as they did in previous elections,” the President confirmed. The chairwoman of the Women National Committee, Hadramout office, Fayaza Faraj said in a speech that since its unification, Yemen made significant steps forward in freedom and human rights respect. She highlighted the effort of President Saleh in supporting women issues and democracy in the country, pointing out to the strong presence of women in elections and decision-making. AH/AA SABA