When President Ali Abdullah Saleh tried desperately to quell Yemen's popular uprising, he appealed to tribalism, customs and traditions. All his efforts evidently failed, and the revolution continued unabated.
When Saleh denounced women for joining men in demonstrations in Sanaa — playing on cultural sensitivities and a very selective interpretation of religion — the response was even more poignant. Thousands of women took to the streets, denouncing Saleh's regime and calling for its ouster.
The immediate popular response was notable for its level of organization and decisiveness. It was also interesting because most of the women protesting did so while wearing the Niqab. Fully covered Yemeni women have continued to inspire — if not fuel — the revolution that started in February.