Girl Fighters is a novel based on a true account of two girls who
passed as men and fought in Yemen's 1960's civil war.
The characters in our story are two cousins who dress as males and are
known as Mohammed and Ali. The men in their family have died in war. The
girls feel it is their duty to seek revenge, the code of honor in tribal
society. However in Yemen girls are hidden from public view--behind
walls, doors, and veils. When Mohammed and Ali decide to seek revenge,
they ironically violate another tribal expectation: that fighters be
males.
At first, Mohammed and Ali are inspired by their act of resistance. The
war was compelling, a "noble cause." Later, they come to realize that
war benefits corrupt political leaders and business interests, both
local and international. Against the backdrop of war they gain new
perspectives. Taking off veils and dressing as men opens their eyes to
gender inequities. They question female roles in tribal society. For
example, boys can be educated at mosques, but girls cannot attend
schools.
Mohammed plans to open a girl's school when the war ends. Ali is a
military medic. When Ali is killed, Mohammed confronts loss and guilt.
She cannot return to her former life. The dream of educating girls
cannot happen as a "man." In tribal society, as "a woman" she must marry
and produce children. Against the odds, Mohammed reshapes her life as
leader in the community.
