Fatima al-Aqel (died January 11, 2012) was an

activist Activism (or Advocacy) consists of efforts to promote, impede, direct or intervene in social, political, economic or environmental reform with the desire to make changes in society toward a perceived greater good. Forms of activism range fro ...

for individuals with

disabilities Disability is the experience of any condition that makes it more difficult for a person to do certain activities or have equitable access within a given society. Disabilities may be cognitive, developmental, intellectual, mental, physical, se ...

. She directed most of her efforts advocating for women with blindness in Yemen. The president of the

Arab Association for Human Rights The Arab Organization for Human Rights ( ar, المنظمة العربية لحقوق الإنسان) is a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) that works on human rights issues in the Arab World. It was founded with a resolution agreed on in Hamm ...

, Raja Al-Masabi, said her work had been key to educating women with visual impairment in Yemen.

Biography

While studying at Cairo University, Al-Aqel lost her sight. She finished her degree, despite her new disability, getting a bachelor of arts and receiving a

diploma A diploma is a document awarded by an educational institution (such as a college or university) testifying the recipient has graduated by successfully completing their courses of studies. Historically, it has also referred to a charter or offici ...

in Islamic studies. Al-Aqel opened the first school for blind women in Yemen in 1995. Later, she founded an organization, the Al-Aman Organization Blind Women Care (AOBWC, جمعية الأمان لرعاية الكفيفات) in 1997 in order to further the opportunities for blind women in education and the workforce. The country of Yemen has a high rate of blindness and eye diseases, many of which are treatable. However many Yemenis can't afford treatment, or in some cases, receive poor medical advice, and go blind as a result. In 2012, it was estimated that there were around 76,000 blind Yemenis, most of them living in rural areas. In Yemen, people with disabilities face difficult challenges receiving education and access to social and public services. Al-Aqel wanted women in Yemen to be able to be an active part of society and able to continue their education and be able to obtain employment. AOBWC as a group supports the education of women with blindness in order to help them take part in social and political spheres. Her group also helps adapt literature to Braille. The group also works closely with the Education Ministry and other similar foundations. In 2001, Al-Aqel entered into a mutual cooperation agreement between AOBWC and the British Cultural Council began. In 2012, Al-Aqel was honored by the Balqis Award, an annual $20,000 prize which is given to recognize the contributions of women's groups in Yemen. Al-Aqel was also honored at the third annual "Festival of the Blind" in Sana'a in 2013 for her work in AOBWC as she strove to create a "more compassionate and considerate world for the blind."

References

External links

Al-Aman Organization for Blind Women Care website
{{DEFAULTSORT:Aqel, Fatima Yemeni human rights activists 2012 deaths Yemeni blind people 1957 births Yemeni disability rights activists 21st-century Yemeni women 21st-century Yemeni people Cairo University alumni Blind activists