A team from the NDC’s Development Working Group made visits to the Islah Charitable Society for Social Welfare and the Yemeni Women’s Union on Sunday.

During the first visit, Islah Society Director General Abdulwasi Al-Wase and Assistant Secretary General Yahya Al-Daba spoke about the society’s vision of breaking new ground, achieving sustainable development and reducing poverty.

The NDC team members also listened as the Islah Society’s programs in the areas of childhood care, youth well-being, disaster relief and social and medical care were described.

Al-Wase and Al-Daba also delivered presentations on the society’s partnerships with Yemen’s public and private sectors, as well as with the United Nations and other international organizations.

The Islah Society officials made proposals to the NDC members to activate a partnership with the government at central and local levels; establish a fund in support of civil society organizations and an independent zakat regulatory body; and amend legislation concerned with unions, associations and environmental protection.

During its visit to the Yemeni Women’s Union, the team members acquainted themselves with the union’s activities, which include soft loan and income-generation projects.

Union President Ramzia Al-Eryani said the union maintained a database on women’s rights violations and spoke in detail about how protection and support are provided to women.

“We have a center where we hear from women who experience mental violence,” said Al-Eryani.

Other female union officials said the union runs 10% of Yemen’s literacy centers and that it had also launched a project dealing with the political empowerment of women.