The Yemen Observer ran a second interview about the fatwa issued by the Vice and Virtue Commitee banning women from Yemeni politics. This interview was with Ramiza al-Eryani, the Chairwoman of the Yemen Women Union. She discussed the initial reception of the VVC’s fatwa by her organization:

Early that morning we prepared a letter that we sent right away to the speaker of the parliament. In the letter we provided proof from the Qur’an in order to remind that women’s political participation has never been forbidden by Islam and that the fatwa issued by the VVC against a quota that would reserve 15 percent of the seats at the parliament for female candidates is against Islam.

When they talked about virtue they only focused on women, on nothing else. We are treated as objects, not as human beings. But the Qur’an does not treat women like this, for men and women are the same thing. However, no one talks about the rights Islam provides to women. Our Prophet said that women must be educated but the Virtue Committee now acts against this. Women need the possibility to participate in the political life of the country.

Read the full interview here.