Full Article:
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/babylonbeyond/2010/03/yemen-2-years-after-divorce-life-is-looking-up-for-nujood-ali.html
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
Yemeni Law Against Child Marriage
Yemen: Minimum age for marriage set at 17
The new law stipulates:
“No child under seventeen years of age is to be married, unless the marriage is seen in the best interest of the child by the judge. The girl’s guardian who violates this law will be penalized. The judge conducting the marriage has to present the marriage document within one month of the marriage at most to the concerned body and the marriage contract must include related documents such as birth certificate, dowry and identity cards. The guardian of either the wife or husband will be financially penalized if they do not register the marriage certificate within the mentioned period. No marriage is to be carried out at any age without the consent of the woman.”
“It is a grand achievement for both women and men in Yemen,” said Hooria Mashour,deputy chairperson of the Women National Committee.
She excitedly agreed that such legislation will help promote better education and health of the citizen and will contribute to the development of the country as a whole.
“I am grateful to all the courageous people who fight for women’s rights, and I am especially thankful to the men in the parliament that helped pass this law,” she added.
Shaqi Al-Qadhi, Member of Parliament (MP) and strong advocate for women’s rights said that the law amendments is only the beginning.
“Now we need civil society organizations, lawyer syndicates and anyone interested in women’s development to propose procedural steps and a detailed system for implementing this law,” he said.
MP Dr. Abdulbari Al-Doghaish said that there has been a change in the mentality of many MPs and people in general towards the issues of women.
Al-Qadhi agrees with this notion, “I believe that now we can say that Yemeni society understands that women’s rights are a case of humanity and not an imported concept from the West.”
This law comes a few weeks before the fourth annual women’s conference which is organized by the Women National Committee.
“This is the best gift Parliament can give to women on their national day,” says Mashour.
More reasons to celebrate
The law to define the minimum age for marriage is not the only reason for Yemeni women to celebrate.
The parliament passed this amendment among a set of legislations concerning women and children in two laws, civil status law number 14 for the year 2002 and civil status law number 20 for the year 1992.
The amendments include facilitations of pre-marital medical checks regarding genetic faults, dangerous diseases or health risks.
Amendments also conditioned polygamy to the practical ability of a husband being fair and able to support both families. Fairness is included in all aspects, such as time spent with each wife, housing and logistics. The first wife also has to be legally notified of his intention of marrying another to allow them to make future decisions.
Amendments included technicalities in the marriage procedure and contracts which clarify the issue of consent among other issues.
Divorced women also benefit from the new amendments as the law today clearly stipulates women’s right to alimony for her children even if the divorce is permanent.
Custody of children is exclusively granted to the mother for the first twelve years of the children’s life whether boys or girls, unless the judge sees that the best interest of the child lies elsewhere.
A divorced mother with children has the right to a suitable residence to be provided for by the father of the child.
The new amendments also recognizes the mother as the sole guardian of orphaned children if is seen fit to shoulder this responsibility by a judge.
Once orphaned children reach puberty, a judge can test their maturity and entrust their inheritance to them if he considers them responsible enough.
11 February 2009
By: Nadia Al-Sakkaf
Source:
Yemen TimesThe law stipulates that no marriage is to be carried out at any age without the consent of the woman.
However, Shaqi Al-Qadhi, Member of Parliament (MP) and strong advocate for women’s rights said that the law amendments is only the beginning. “Now we need civil society organizations, lawyer syndicates and anyone interested in women’s development to propose procedural steps and a detailed system for implementing this law,” he said.
Nojood, 10, Arwa, 9, and Reem, 13, are three girls who went through traumatizing ordeals after being forced into marriage by their families. The three girls’ stories have been an issue of debate in social sessions, conferences and the media. But most importantly the matter was discussed in Parliament, where members have finally approved setting the minimum age for marriage for both boys and girls at 17 years old.
The new law stipulates:
“No child under seventeen years of age is to be married, unless the marriage is seen in the best interest of the child by the judge. The girl’s guardian who violates this law will be penalized. The judge conducting the marriage has to present the marriage document within one month of the marriage at most to the concerned body and the marriage contract must include related documents such as birth certificate, dowry and identity cards. The guardian of either the wife or husband will be financially penalized if they do not register the marriage certificate within the mentioned period. No marriage is to be carried out at any age without the consent of the woman.”
“It is a grand achievement for both women and men in Yemen,” said Hooria Mashour,deputy chairperson of the Women National Committee.
She excitedly agreed that such legislation will help promote better education and health of the citizen and will contribute to the development of the country as a whole.
“I am grateful to all the courageous people who fight for women’s rights, and I am especially thankful to the men in the parliament that helped pass this law,” she added.
Shaqi Al-Qadhi, Member of Parliament (MP) and strong advocate for women’s rights said that the law amendments is only the beginning.
“Now we need civil society organizations, lawyer syndicates and anyone interested in women’s development to propose procedural steps and a detailed system for implementing this law,” he said.
MP Dr. Abdulbari Al-Doghaish said that there has been a change in the mentality of many MPs and people in general towards the issues of women.
Al-Qadhi agrees with this notion, “I believe that now we can say that Yemeni society understands that women’s rights are a case of humanity and not an imported concept from the West.”
This law comes a few weeks before the fourth annual women’s conference which is organized by the Women National Committee.
“This is the best gift Parliament can give to women on their national day,” says Mashour.
More reasons to celebrate
The law to define the minimum age for marriage is not the only reason for Yemeni women to celebrate.
The parliament passed this amendment among a set of legislations concerning women and children in two laws, civil status law number 14 for the year 2002 and civil status law number 20 for the year 1992.
The amendments include facilitations of pre-marital medical checks regarding genetic faults, dangerous diseases or health risks.
Amendments also conditioned polygamy to the practical ability of a husband being fair and able to support both families. Fairness is included in all aspects, such as time spent with each wife, housing and logistics. The first wife also has to be legally notified of his intention of marrying another to allow them to make future decisions.
Amendments included technicalities in the marriage procedure and contracts which clarify the issue of consent among other issues.
Divorced women also benefit from the new amendments as the law today clearly stipulates women’s right to alimony for her children even if the divorce is permanent.
Custody of children is exclusively granted to the mother for the first twelve years of the children’s life whether boys or girls, unless the judge sees that the best interest of the child lies elsewhere.
A divorced mother with children has the right to a suitable residence to be provided for by the father of the child.
The new amendments also recognizes the mother as the sole guardian of orphaned children if is seen fit to shoulder this responsibility by a judge.
Once orphaned children reach puberty, a judge can test their maturity and entrust their inheritance to them if he considers them responsible enough.
11 February 2009
By: Nadia Al-Sakkaf
Who has the facts?
The difficult thing about “writing the facts” is to know what is fact and what isn’t. While researching Nujood’s story, I noticed several different conflicting stories about the facts about Nujood, the marriage, and the trial. These are some of the facts I gathered from various articles from CNN.com, The New York Times, Time Magazine, Glamour Magazine and the book “I am Nujood, Ten Years old and Divorced” co-written by Nujood Ali and Delphine Minoui.
| Nujood married when she was…. | Her husband was… | Her father gave her husband… | She had ___ siblings. | |
| CNN | 10 years old | No mention of Age | | |
| New York Times | | 30 years old | | 16 |
| Nujood Ali “I am 10-years old…” | | About 30 years old | | More than 16 |
| Time Magazine | | In his 30s | 150, 00 rials ($750.00) | 15 |
| Glamour Magazine | 9 years old | No mention of age | | Around 16 |
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
Letter to Parents
Dear Parents and Guardians of “Playground” Cast,
Hello and thank you for supporting your child’s interest in participating in “Playground” by Jonathan Fitts. As was explained during the audition process, the premise of the show is based on true events that took place in Yemen in 2005 concerning the marriage and subsequent divorce of a 10-year old girl named Nujood Ali. Due to the sensitive subject matter of the play, we want to make sure resources are available for parents and guardians so they may explain the actions of characters within the play as necessary.
As sanctioned by traditional law in many Sub Saharan countries, Nujood was married to a 30-year old man when she was 10-years old. Though her parents intended Nujood’s marriage to be a means of safety and a financial security, her husband forced her to have sex with him before she had reached puberty and physically abused her following their marriage. After a few months of this treatment, Nujood traveled to the capital of Yemen to file for divorce, and was eventually grated one.
“Playground” centers around Nujood’s life before, during and after her marriage (and divorce.) While the play is based on the events that happened to Nujood, the plot of “Playground” is not strictly biographical and contains theatrical elements that expand and add to Nujood’s story by means of dramatic elements.
The script does not require that any child actors swear or use foul language, but the production staff wants to make sure parents know that the adult characters in the play do swear and discuss adult themes (ie. rape, physical abuse) throughout the play, and younger members of the cast will be present in rehearsals and performances where such dialogue will take place. There is no literal presentation of rape or sexual behavior seen onstage. In the play, during the scene entitled “Dodge ball, ” Nujood’s husband throws and hits her with a red rubber ball--an act that in the play symbolizes the rape and abuse that Nujood suffered through.
If you have any questions or wish to learn more about the play and the events that inspired it, please feel free to contact Sylvia Mallory.
Thank you for your support and participation!
Welcome to the "Playground" Dramaturgy Website!
Hello and Welcome to the dramaturgy resource site for the Distillery's production of Jonathan Fitts' "Playground."
This website is intended for use by actors, parents, teachers, designers and directors who are part of the Distillery's production of "Playground," and will provide information on a variety of subjects related to and used in Jonathan Fitts' play.
This website is intended for use by actors, parents, teachers, designers and directors who are part of the Distillery's production of "Playground," and will provide information on a variety of subjects related to and used in Jonathan Fitts' play.
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