Jamala al-Baidhani

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

Jamala Al-Baidhani
Born1977
Al Aeoff
DiedDecember 15, 2012
Sana'a
CitizenshipYemen
Known foractivism for women with disabilities in Yemen.

Biography

Al-Baidhani was born in Al Aeoff village in the Al Baidha region.[2] She was an active child until she contracted meningitis at age seven and became paralyzed because of complications related to the illness.[3] After she recovered, Al-Baidhani used a wheelchair to get around.[3] In 1995, she started working in the Ministry of Social Affairs and also started going to college.[2] She received a bachelor's degree in social sciences.[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 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 the Al-Tahadi as a DPO in 1998.[1] Al-Baidhani later founded the Alesrar NGO for Youth Development which helps coordinate volunteerism for those with disabilities in 2006.[1]

In 2007, the U.S. Embassy to 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 from a respiratory disease.[6] She was buried in the Majel Al-Dema Cemetery.[7] Al-Baidhani was awarded the second Balquis Award posthumously in 2013. The award honors women who have made an "exceptional contribution to the development of Yemeni women."[8]

References
  1. "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. "Jamal Saleh Al Baidani" (PDF). Al Tahadi. Archived from the original (PDF) on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 4 August 2015.
  3. Al-Mohattwari, Asma (8 March 2014). "Death Stole Them But Their Work Immortalized Them". National Yemen. 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. 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. 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.
  8. "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.
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