Yemen has for long ranked poorly in gender equality. The Global Gender Gap Report, released annually by the World Economic Forum, has repeatedly ranked Yemen dead last.

Despite this, Fatima Al-Selwi, the businesswomen office director at the Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Sana’a’s Capital Secretariat, is optimistic things are changing.

The chamber, which serves as “the union of the private sector,” as she puts it, “gives women a chance to be under the umbrella of an organized sector.” The chamber’s mission is to strengthen the role of the private sector in improving economic development and bettering the national economy.

Speaking about women in the economy, Al-Selwi says she is confident that Yemeni businesswomen are playing an important role and their contribution is not inferior to men’s. As the businesswomen office director for the chamber, Al-Selwi coordinates training, certification, and the participation of Yemeni businesswomen in conferences inside the country and abroad. She also offers consultation to businesswomen.