• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
Care Australia - Supporting women. Defeating poverty.

CARE Australia

Supporting women. Defeating poverty.

donate
  • Give now
    • Donate monthly
    • Donate now
    • Leave a gift in your Will
    • Corporate donations
    • Emergencies
    • Buy a CAREgift
    • More ways to give
  • Get involved
    • Partner with us
    • Careers
    • Fundraise for CARE
    • Contact us
  • Our work
    • About us
    • Where the money goes
    • Gender equality
    • Livelihoods
    • Climate change
    • Emergencies & crises
    • Where we work

Happiness Café – a safe space for women in Yemen

by CARE Australia - June 6, 2017
Yemen

Salma has defied the odds. She is just 24 years old and runs a successful business in Yemen – a nation dominated by men where independence is a goal far too few women are able to attain. Salma shares how her progressive upbringing and a little training from CARE have helped her break cultural boundaries.

“In my country, women are traditionally expected to be guided by a male figure – either their father, brother or husband… We were the exception.

“My father encouraged my sister and me to always pursue our goals and challenge existing biases in our society.

“As a schoolgirl, I was interested in being a part of social and youth activities and I received my father’s full support. I joined university and successfully graduated with a bachelor’s degree in computer sciences.”

Salma quickly found work in her field, but by 2015, Yemen’s economy had destabilised to the point where many companies, including the one employing Salma, were forced to close.

“I started seeking new options. It is very difficult to get employment in Yemen these days and I felt that it would be better to start my own business. I also wanted to do something that would not only provide me with a stable income but would also define me and be in line with my beliefs.

“I thought of opening a coffee shop for women in the local market. I had observed that when women go shopping they would have a hard time finding a decent place to rest, get refreshed or even use a clean rest room. An affordable coffee shop in the middle of the market would solve this problem. I applied for a training opportunity with CARE’s economic empowerment project as a first step in learning how to start my business. I was very fortunate to be accepted and to receive the start-up loan for my business.”

Salma’s coffee shop, which she named Happiness Café, is now thriving, and she has a daily income to help support her family. It has also fulfilled her hopes of creating a safe, supportive environment for women to meet. Many women visit to socialise there, and she even hosts meetings for women entrepreneurs where they can share ideas and learn from other inspiring women.

“I am so happy that I have gotten this opportunity, and that I am now able to contribute to my community.”

Click here to learn more about our work with women and girls.

Sign up to our newsletter

Stay up to date with our news, programs and appeals.

Supporting women. Defeating poverty.

Supporting women. Defeating poverty.

Donate Now
  • Contact Us
  • Emergencies
  • Where the money goes
  • About us
  • Our history
  • Media
  • Jobs
  • Blog
C

CARE Australia acknowledges the First Nations of the land on which we work, including the Ngunnawal and the Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung of the Eastern Kulin Nation. We respect and celebrate the sovereignty of the Traditional Owners of these lands and pay our respects to Elders past and present.

CARE Australia is a leading international aid organisation that works around the globe to save lives and defeat poverty.

Icon for Facebook Icon for Twitter Icon for Instagram Icon for YouTube

Privacy Policy | CARE Australia © 2023 Copyright. All rights reserved. ABN 46 003 380 890.