Women in Development and Peace – Yomna Ahmed
Diplomatic work can be defined as the activities and tasks carried out by a country to negotiate and coordinate relations with other countries and international organizations. Diplomacy focuses on achieving national and international interests, peacefully resolving political conflicts, promoting democracy and human rights, and advancing work on international law and treaties. These tasks are entrusted to diplomats who are selected by the government or diplomatic institutions.
In Yemen, especially in recent years, there has been an urgent need for diplomatic work, particularly after the onset of conflict and political disputes. Diplomats can play a crucial role in resolving conflicts and finding political solutions to the Yemeni crisis. This can be achieved through negotiation, dialogue, and bridging perspectives between conflicting parties, while securing international support for peace and stability in Yemen.
From this perspective, enhancing the role of Yemeni women in diplomacy is essential. Women can contribute to strengthening the diplomatic process. Yemeni women have demonstrated their ability to engage in constructive negotiations and dialogues. Furthermore, promoting the involvement of Yemeni women in diplomatic work contributes to enhancing female participation in decision-making and gender equality in Yemen. However, despite the importance of the role that Yemeni women can play in diplomatic processes, they still face numerous challenges and difficulties in their diplomatic careers.
Following that, Yemen Information Center’s Information and Opinion Poll Unit conducted a survey titled “Women in Diplomacy in Yemen” to gauge the opinions of a sample from the Yemeni society regarding the importance of women’s involvement in diplomatic work in Yemen and the key challenges they face from their perspective.
The survey was conducted on a research sample of 143 individuals, with 53.5% being male and 46.5% female. The age groups of the respondents varied: 30.2% were young adults aged between 26-35 years, 23.3% fell within the 36-45 years age range, another 23.3% were aged between 46-65 years, 16.2% were in the 18-25 years age group, and a 7% represented those above the age of 65.
Regarding educational qualifications, the majority of participants held bachelor’s degrees (41.9%), followed by those with higher degrees (30.2%). 20.9% were university students, and only 7% had completed their secondary education.
In terms of geographical scope, the survey covered eleven governorates:
Sana’a (18.6%), Taiz (18.6%), Aden (18.6%), Hadhramaut (14%), Al-Mahra (9.2%), Dhamar, Al Hudaydah, and Lahj (4.7% each), Shabwah, Ibb, and Socotra (2.3% each)
Main Results
Initially, 90.6% of the survey participants assessed the level of women’s participation in the diplomatic field as weak, while 9.4% rated it between average and significant.
However, despite this, 67.4% of the respondents believe that the presence of women in Yemen’s diplomatic corps is highly important. Additionally, 25.6% of the participants consider working in the diplomatic field to be significant. The remaining 7% expressed that they do not see any importance in women’s involvement in diplomatic work.
Survey participants recognize the significance of Yemeni women’s participation in diplomacy, highlighting their notable contributions in the following areas:
- Representation in International Organizations: 76.7%
- Engagement in Peace Missions and Humanitarian Aid: 60.5%.
- Participation in International Negotiations and Dialogues: 37.2%
- International Agreement Negotiations: 11.6%
Regarding equal employment opportunities for Yemeni women in the diplomatic field compared to men, 97% of the survey participants believe that women do not receive the same opportunities. The remaining 3% hold a contrary view.
As for the challenges and difficulties faced by women in diplomacy, respondents identified the following:
- Gender Discrimination: 69.8%
- Travel and Work Restrictions Abroad: 69.8%
- Stereotypes Regarding Women’s Roles in Society: 58.1%
- Lack of Support and Training: 48.8%
In conclusion, survey participants believe that Yemeni women can play a vital role in enhancing diplomatic efforts within Yemen. Their contributions can contribute to conflict resolution, stability, and peace in the country. To achieve this, providing suitable opportunities for training and skill development in negotiation and dialogue is essential. Additionally, raising awareness about the importance of women’s roles in diplomacy and encouraging their active participation at all levels—both within Yemen and in the international community—is crucial. Furthermore, the international community should support and empower Yemeni women in diplomacy through financial, technical, and political assistance.