Yemen: A café in Yemen is shyly trending on social media for all the good reasons. The usually traditional, conservative attitude of the Yemenis, is now paving way to a new milestone. When Um Feras realised there were no leisure spaces for women in her city in Yemen, she founded her own café and hopes to change attitudes about women-led businesses.

“There were no places for women to gather comfortably, no places belonging to the female community”, Um Feras said from the Morning Icon café she set up in April last year in Marib, central Yemen.

“The word ‘café’ can be associated with negative ideas and convictions… Every new idea will have its supporters and opponents,” she said, adding she wants to lead by example to show that women can run enterprises.

Wadad, a medical student and café customer, said she was drawn to the café’s internet connection: “There is space for women is general, amid the poor internet network in Marib and the limited available spaces for female students.”

Um Feras plans to expand her leisure spot for women and children. “I mostly import most of my coffee and drinks. Maintaining quality amid rising prices and fluctuating currency rates has been a real challenge for me,” added Feras.