Against the odds

Dr. Najat Jumaan is a pioneering Yemeni businesswoman.

 She owns two companies; a commercial trading company, and a consulting company that provides studies about market needs and requirements of investment projects.

In addition to being a successful businesswoman, Dr. Najat is a professor of administration science in the University of Sana’a and a deputy dean of the Ministry of Finance’s Financial Institute.

Yemen Today spoke to Dr. Jumaan about the challenges women in Yemen face when they want to work in the business sector.

Yemen Today: How did you become a businesswoman?
Jumaan: I did very well in my studies and that helped me become an instructor in the university. This distinction gave me a lot of self confidence, and enabled me, with the support of my family, to hold high management positions in a group of companies.

Pursuing my studies leading to M.A and Ph.D. degrees in financial management helped me to acquire more knowledge to be added to my experience, and that resulted in establishing my first trading company in 2001, in addition to the Concept Company through which I provide feasibility studies and consultations relating to establishing all types of investment projects for both genders.

Yemen Today: How do you evaluate the situation for businesswomen in Yemen?
Jumaan: Through my chairmanship of the Public Federation of Commercial and Industrial Chambers, and through my practice in business in my father’s companies and in my companies, I can tell you that the Yemeni businesswomen sector is still in the beginning stage despite the fact that women in Yemen have daringly ventured into the field of business in several sectors.

Women work in many commercial fields such as trading in foodstuffs, steel, wood, medical equipment, medicines, cosmetics, consulting services, oil services and construction and real estate.

Yemen Today: What are the obstacles that hinder women’s advance in the commercial and industrial fields?
Jumaan: The businesswomen sector in Yemen is still in its beginnings due to factors related to culture, economy, environment and the difference in the upbringing of men and women. The idea of women working in business is sensitive since the culture of Yemeni society considers that work is only for men. Therefore, when women venture into business it involves high risk and challenge to the society.

Furthermore, women are brought up and given a lot of care by the family until they graduate from the university, and that is unlike men who consequently acquire a lot of experience and knowledge.

The unstable economic factors also have a negative impact on businesswomen, because any economic shock may subject women to losses and make them exit the field due to the negative effect of society on women in such circumstances.

Yemen Today: How can women be supported in this sector so that they create successful investment projects that serve the national economy?
Jumaan: The government has to adopt a clear strategy to support businesswomen. The government, represented by the concerned ministries, and the private sector, represented by the Federation of the Commercial and Industrial Chambers, have to participate in establishing a clear strategy and a vision to support women especially now when the government is engaged in amending legislation and enhancing the investment environment.

I would like also to suggest that the Federation of Chambers and even the government agencies provide information to women easily, and they are co-operative regarding complaints.

Yemen Today: Do Yemeni legislation and regulations discriminate between men and women in the business sector?
Jumaan: There is no discrimination in the legislation, but discrimination is there in applying the legislation. Men do not have trust in concluding contracts with women unless the father or a brother provides a full guarantee. Testimony is also not taken from a woman, but I think that there is a religion-related cause for that.

Yemen Today: Are there any government or private financing programs for supporting women’s projects?
Jumaan: The banking sector does not discriminate between the projects it is going to finance, but the risk and profitability factors control financing for investment projects in general. However, there are programs sponsored by government agencies in partnership with international donor organizations that support small and medium-size projects, namely those undertaken by businesswomen.