Women Empowerment Trumps Tradition - Cafe In Yemen Run By Women For Women

When Um Feras saw there were no places for women to hang out in her Yemeni city, she started a cafe and hopes it will lead to a change in perspective on women-led businesses.

"There were no places for women to gather comfortably, no places belonging to the female community: where the team from administration to the youngest employee is female," she said from the Morning Icon cafe she started in April 2019 in Marib, as per a Reuters report.

Reuters

"The word 'cafe' can be associated with negative ideas and convictions. Every new idea will have its supporters and opponents," she added.

"There is space for women in general, amid the poor internet network in Marib and the limited available spaces for female students," said Wadad, who is a medical student and regular customer.

Reuters

Handling a business is difficult in a country where conflict is prevalent, but Um Feras is still going strong.

She imports most of what is found in the cafe. She admits it is a challenge to maintain quality while prices soar. But she plans to expand it into a larger spot of leisure.