Human Rights Minister Houria Mashhour stated on Wednesday that the illiteracy rates among Yemeni women and men were 70% and 45%, respectively.

During a presentation delivered to the NDC’s Development Working Group, she added that about 73 percent of Yemeni lands were classified as rural areas.

“The government has not achieved compulsory education goals… many children are still out of school and, for this reason, it is difficult to speak about development. To be honest, development indicators are very low,” said Mashhour.

Regarding the Human Rights Ministry’s role in protecting and improving the state of Yemeni citizens’ rights and freedoms, she said that preparations had begun for the establishment of a human rights body which was completely independent and impartial.

“We are also about to announce strategies to combat human trafficking, either of Yemeni citizens or of African refugees,” she added.

For their part, the NDC members raised the issues of early marriage, child labor and street beggars, while also discussing the role of the Human Rights Ministry in addressing such matters.

“We have agreed to turn the page and open a new era in which all rights must be respected and served,” said Mashhour.

“The new constitution shall ensure independence and impartiality.”