Jamala al-Baidhani

Jamala Al-Baidhani
Born1977 (1977)
Al Aeoff Al Bayda, Yemen
Died15 December 2012(2012-12-15) (aged 34–35)
Sana'a, Yemen
Occupation(s)Civil servant, activist
Known forActivism for women with disabilities

Jamala al-Baidhani (Arabic: جمالة البيضاني; 1977 – 15 December 2012) was a Yemeni activist who supported civil rights for women and disabled people. She is the founder of the Al-Tahadi Association for Disabled Females, the first group in Yemen devoted to helping girls with disabilities.[1]

Biography

Al-Baidhani was born in Al Aeoff village in the Al Baidha region of Yemen.[2] She was an active child until she contracted meningitis at age seven and became paralyzed due to complications related to the illness.[3] After she recovered, Al-Baidhani used a wheelchair to get around.[3] In 1995, she began working in the Ministry of Social Affairs and also went to college.[2] She received a bachelor's degree in social science.[1]

Al-Baidhani started working with disability rights in the government of Yemen in 1996[2] but later felt that she wasn't able to reach her goal of bringing services to disabled women while working in the government.[3] In Yemen, most people who have disabilities must rely on disabled persons organizations (DPO) and non-governmental organizations (NGO).[4] Al-Baidhani founded Al-Tahadi as a DPO in 1998.[1] She went on to create the Alesrar NGO for youth development, which helps coordinate volunteerism for those with disabilities, in 2006.[1]

In 2007, the American embassy in Yemen honored her as a "Woman of Courage".[1] In 2008, the Kuwaiti embassy in Sana'a awarded Al-Baldhani $30,000 for her NGO work.[5]

In 2012, Al-Baidhani died in Sana'a from complications related to a respiratory disease.[6] She was buried in the Majel Al-Dema cemetery.[6] Al-Baidhani was awarded the second Balquis Award posthumously in 2013. The prize honors women who have made an "exceptional contribution to the development of Yemeni women".[7]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e "Speech in Honor of International Women's Day". Embassy of the United States in Sana'a Yemen. 8 March 2010. Archived from the original on 5 April 2015. Retrieved 4 August 2015.
  2. ^ a b c "Jamal Saleh Al Baidani" (PDF). Al Tahadi. Archived from the original (PDF) on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 4 August 2015.
  3. ^ a b c Al-Mohattwari, Asma (8 March 2014). "Death Stole Them but Their Work Immortalized Them". National Yemen. Archived from the original on 30 July 2017. Retrieved 4 August 2015.
  4. ^ "Looking the Other Way: Disability in Yemen". Social Development Division - Social Policy Section. United Nations ESCWA. 2009. Archived from the original on 13 March 2016. Retrieved 4 August 2015.
  5. ^ "Kuwait Embassy in Yemen Extends Donation to Disabled Society". Kuwait News Agency. 17 November 2008. Retrieved 4 August 2015.
  6. ^ a b Al-Yarisi, Amal (17 December 2012). "Woman Who Dedicated Life to Disabled Dies". Yemen Times. Archived from the original on 7 April 2017. Retrieved 4 August 2015.
  7. ^ "Winners of Balquis Awards 2012-2014" (PDF). Yemen LNG Journal (2): 5. July 2014. Archived from the original (PDF) on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 4 August 2015.