Harbia Al-Himiary, a Yemeni engineer, has dedicated her life to preserving the heritage of Sana’a, the capital of Yemen. She believes that there is a common language between her and the historic buildings of the city, and she feels a sense of gratitude towards the city for teaching her valuable lessons.
From a young age, Ms. Al-Himiary has been passionate about preserving the rich history and culture of Yemen. As a project officer in the Cultural Heritage Unit of the Historic Cities Authority in Old Sana’a, she is currently involved in a UN-backed project to restore numerous historic buildings in Sana’a and other parts of Yemen.
Her work is driven by a deep sense of responsibility towards her country’s heritage. She views herself as a guardian of the city’s history, striving to ensure the continuity of Yemen’s great civilization. Ms. Al-Himiary’s dedication and commitment to preserving the cultural heritage of Yemen have earned her recognition and respect both locally and internationally.
In her role as a project officer, Ms. Al-Himiary works closely with a team of professionals to carry out restoration projects in Sana’a. She emphasizes the importance of teamwork and collaboration in overcoming the challenges they face. Despite the difficulties they encounter, Ms. Al-Himiary believes that there is no difference between male and female engineers when it comes to preserving the historic city.
She is a strong advocate for gender equality in the field of engineering, and she has actively promoted the inclusion of women in heritage conservation projects. Ms. Al-Himiary has created opportunities for women and girls to receive training in traditional building crafts, such as woodwork, wood decorations, stucco decorations, and carpentry.
One of the girls who participated in the training program shared with Ms. Al-Himiary her motivation for learning traditional carpentry. She explained that by restoring the wooden decorations in her home, she was not only exercising her rights as a homeowner but also preserving her family’s privacy.
Ms. Al-Himiary’s advice to young girls interested in pursuing a career in engineering is to choose a field that they are passionate about. She believes that with dedication, perseverance, and hard work, anyone can succeed in their chosen field. She encourages girls to follow their dreams and to believe in their abilities to achieve their goals.
As she continues her work in preserving Yemen’s cultural heritage, Ms. Al-Himiary remains committed to her mission of reviving the historical buildings of Sana’a. She sees her work as a way of giving back to the city that has given her so much knowledge and inspiration.
Through her efforts, Ms. Al-Himiary hopes to inspire future generations of engineers and conservationists to take up the mantle of preserving Yemen’s rich history and cultural heritage. She believes that by working together, both men and women can contribute to the preservation of their country’s precious heritage for generations to come.
In recognition of her dedication and contributions to heritage conservation, Ms. Al-Himiary has received accolades and awards from various organizations, including UNESCO. She remains a shining example of a woman who has made a significant impact in her field and continues to inspire others to follow in her footsteps.
