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“There is a common language between me and the buildings. In every house I try to preserve, I feel that the city is grateful to me, and I am grateful to the city because it has taught me a lot,” shares Yemeni engineer Harbia Al-Himiary, reflecting on her unique connection with the capital of Yemen.
From a young age, Ms. Al-Himiary has been passionate about safeguarding the heritage of Sana’a, aspiring to maintain “the continuity of our history, one of the greatest civilizations.” As a project officer with the Cultural Heritage Unit at the Historic Cities Authority in Old Sana’a, she is currently involved in a United Nations-supported initiative aimed at restoring numerous historic structures throughout Yemen.
‘There is no difference between a male and female engineer’
Ms. Al-Himiary firmly believes in gender equality in the engineering field, stating, “There is no difference between a man or a woman when it comes to preserving this historic city.” She highlights the mutual respect shared among team members and the local communities they serve, even amidst the various challenges they encounter. “It is true that we face challenges and difficulties but, by working as a team, we go beyond it,” she explains. The increasing participation of female engineers in these projects further demonstrates that women can compete effectively in this domain, all contributing to the preservation of Sana’a’s rich heritage.
In her various projects, Ms. Al-Himiary has focused on creating opportunities for women and girls. “For example, during my time in the old town of Zabid, we trained numerous girls in traditional building crafts, such as woodwork and stucco decorations. We discovered that for every training opportunity we offered, there was an equal attendance from boys and girls, and in some cases, girls even outnumbered the boys,” she notes.
One girl’s motivation for training in traditional carpentry particularly resonated with Ms. Al-Himiary. The girl expressed that restoring the wooden elements in her home was not only a way to take ownership of her space but also a means of preserving her family’s privacy. “My advice to any girl is to choose the field she likes, because as long as she loves that field, she will definitely succeed in it,” emphasizes Ms. Al-Himiary. “With patience, diligence, and perseverance, you will surely succeed in achieving the ambition you desire.”
Through her dedication and commitment to heritage conservation, Harbia Al-Himiary exemplifies the essential role women play in the field of architecture and preservation, driving forward the significant efforts to protect Yemen’s historical past.
Source
news.un.org