13 - March 29th thru April 4th 1999, Vol IX
Mother and Women's Day Celebrated in Taiz
Organized by the Yemeni Women's Union (YWU), Taiz branch, a festival to celebrate Mother's Day and the World Women's Day was held in Taiz at the Cultural C enter on Thursday, March 18.
Two kids from Al-Amal Nursery, kicked off the chain of events which went on for five hours. Representatives from different government and non-government organizations delivered speeches which stressed the rising role of women in public life. "No society can expect to make real headway if half of it is paralyzed," announced Ms. Suad Al-Absi, chairperson of the YWU/Taiz. She urged the community to make room and provide facilities that help mobilize the contribution of women to our society.
Then, more kids performed and acted. Their performance was marvelous and impressed the audience. The plays focused on children's rights and the need to protect the little ones.
At the end of the festival, certificates of appreciation were bestowed.
President Saleh Supports the YJS
President Ali Abdulalh Saleh expressed full support for the newly elected leadership of the Yemeni Journalist Syndicate (YJS).
President Saleh was speaking to Mahboob Ali, the new chairman of the Syndicate, and the elected board members, whom he received in audience on Monday, March 22nd.
Also attending the meeting was Hatem Zakarya, representative of the Federation of Arab Journalists, who supervised the elections last week.
The new charter adopted by the conference calls for re-alignment of the syndicate membership along professional lines. "Many people who are not journalists are now members. We will start a weeding out process," Mahboob told Yemen Times.
He added that a technical team from Egypt will arrive in Sanaa in two weeks to help the Yemeni side in defining and screening of journalist members.
Japanes Debt Relief Grant Aid
The Government of Japan extended to the Yemeni Government a debt relief grant aid amounting to US $ 1.3 million. Notes to this effect were signed and exchanged on Tuesday, 23rd March, 1999, between the Minister of Planning and Development, Mr. Ahmed Mohammed Sofan, and Mr. Akira Hoshi, Ambassador of Japan in Sana'a.
It is worth mentioning that the total amount of these grants extended in FY 1998 is ´ 3,922,208,000. These loans were used to finance many projects, such as rural water supply projects, Ras Katneeb power station project, the project of construction of the berth of Hodaidah port.
Women Cultural Gathering Gains Momentum
The Cultural Gathering of Yemeni Women continues to build momentum in its activities. The project aims to improve the quality of life in Sanaa, specially with regard to garbage collection. The Minister of the State, Mr. Mutahhar Al-Saeedi, visited the group last week and expressed his appreciation and support to such important vital project. The American Cultural Attachˇ, Dr. A. Chris Eccel, met members of the gathering on Tuesday, March 23rd, and showed interest. He pledged to support such community level projects.
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