Ahmed Bajoaim – Women in Development and Peace
Over nine years of ongoing conflict have left deep scars on every aspect of life in Yemen, both socially and economically. A notable consequence is the significant rise in spinsterhood in recent years. This rise reflects multiple factors stemming from the conflict: economic decline, weak security, the breakdown of traditional social structures, displacement, homelessness, and more.
With escalating violence impacting individuals’ lives and mental and social stability, marriage prospects have dwindled for both young men and women. Soaring marriage costs, rising unemployment and emigration, and an uncertain future have all radically altered societal views on marriage and its role as a cornerstone of family life. This report will highlight the conflict’s impact on the spread of spinsterhood in Yemen, based on expert opinions.
The Conflict and Its Impact
Social expert Khulood Al-Qahoom observes that conditions in Yemen, since the conflict began, are dire across the board, especially socially. Over two-thirds of Yemen’s population—21.6 million people—urgently need humanitarian aid, with over 20 million requiring immediate healthcare, according to a 2023 WHO report. A 2024 World Food Program report stated that 18.6 million people need humanitarian assistance. How can young people even consider marriage when facing such challenges as high prices, exorbitant dowries, extravagant wedding preparations, and complex customs and traditions in many Yemeni regions?
She added, “The ongoing conflict in Yemen and its repercussions have torn apart the social fabric in many areas, leading to increased spinsterhood among young men and women. This has long-term psychological, moral, and social consequences; they’re primarily focused on work and providing for themselves and their families.”
Social expert and family counselor Ibtisam Al-Siood says, “The years-long conflict in Yemen has clearly increased spinsterhood rates. Conflicts increase economic pressures, making the costs of marriage prohibitive and driving up spinsterhood rates.”
She continued, “Social pressures resulting from the conflict’s repercussions are another factor behind the spread of spinsterhood in Yemen. There’s a sense of patriarchal control over marriage terms, leaving young people unable to marry, thus leading to spinsterhood. Spinsterhood leads to feelings of isolation and social exclusion, having a major psychological impact. Individuals experience higher levels of stress and depression, affecting their physical health. The ongoing armed conflict has significantly harmed women and created numerous challenges impacting their lives.”
The Challenges of Conflict
She explained the challenges that women face due to the conflict and its repercussions have redirected the focus on security and stability within society overall, especially impacting young men and women. With the economic situation in Yemen being what it is, women are finding it particularly tough to enter the job market and share some of the burdens of life with men, which can lead to negative outcomes, like shying away from marriage to stay as a support for their guardians.
She added, “The effects tied to the armed conflict and its economic and social consequences, along with displacement and migration, present significant obstacles for women. Additionally, the rise of social media has allowed both young men and women to satisfy their emotional and psychological needs through networking with each other, especially in the absence of parental supervision, which fosters false beliefs stemming from external influences about women’s freedoms and equality with men, which in turn delays marriage for both genders.”
Al-Siood points out that the worsening economic conditions amidst ongoing conflict have made it hard for many families to afford marriage expenses, contributing to the rise in spinsterhood. Challenges have also surfaced, including violence against women and psychological trauma, such as sexual and economic violence. Women who have faced persecution or violence may find it even harder to find a life partner. The psychological trauma from the conflict affects their overall health and their outlook on marriage, and this is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the challenges that the conflict throws in the path of men and women looking to marry.
Al-Siood also highlights that among the challenges caused by the conflict is the increase in unemployment levels among youth, which negatively impacts their ability to achieve financial stability and start families. This situation has resulted in delayed marriages and higher rates of spinsterhood among women, as well as changes in the social values traditionally held in Yemeni society. Factors like displacement have complicated social life and increased difficulties related to stability and family formation, as displaced women face additional challenges in adapting to new circumstances and seeking marriage opportunities.
Suggestions for Alleviating Spinsterhood
A lot of people in Yemeni society believe that stopping the conflict across all regions of Yemen and addressing the security, political, and economic repercussions caused by the ongoing fights will inevitably help deal with the issue of spinsterhood for both women and men.
Khulood Al-Qahoom offers several suggestions to help reduce spinsterhood. She highlights the importance of raising awareness among young people and their guardians about the dangers of spinsterhood for their community’s security and stability. She emphasizes the need for collaboration to activate the roles of local leaders, preachers, and family counselors in advocating for reducing marriage costs, which have been affected by the conflict, and working towards social solidarity. Organizing collective weddings could ease the financial burden of marriage, especially for low-income families, through partnerships with civil society organizations.
She continues, “One of the suggestions to alleviate the effects of the conflict on spinsterhood in Yemen is to open ‘chastity offices’ in every district, where families can come together to solve marriage-related issues, guided by family counselors. Additionally, promoting the culture of polygamy could protect girls who have passed the suitable marriage age, and it’s essential to coordinate with relevant authorities to establish laws and regulations regarding marriage requirements based on the economic conditions created by the conflict.”
She elaborated: “Family counseling specialists should work on reducing this phenomenon by promoting religious awareness, moderate Islamic thought, and culture, through awareness-raising courses and establishing youth gatherings, providing individual and group sessions for young men and women and their guardians. Moreover, collecting statistics and recommendations from workshops should be raised to decision-makers to find root solutions for this issue and conduct social media campaigns to raise awareness about this phenomenon.”
For her part, Ibtisam believes that to help reduce spinsterhood in Yemen, especially amidst the challenging conditions resulting from the conflict, there’s a need to improve girls’ access to education and vocational training that can enhance their job prospects and financial independence. This, in turn, can improve their chances of marriage, along with providing financial assistance from donors to cover marriage costs, helping to ease the economic pressures on families. Additionally, offering psychological support services and therapy for individuals affected by conflicts and crises can help improve mental health and boost their ability to adapt to social life, including marriage.
She pointed out the need for awareness campaigns to increase community understanding of overcoming the conflict’s effects and facilitating pathways to marriage, such as participating in collective marriage programs that could help reduce spinsterhood. Supporting programs and initiatives that empower women, like small business projects and social support programs, can enhance women’s roles in society and increase their chances of marrying. She stressed that these solutions require coordination between government entities and civil society organizations to create an effective and sustainable impact in reducing spinsterhood in the country.
The ongoing armed conflict in Yemen is a significant driver of the growing issue of spinsterhood and the increasing complexities of social and economic life for young people. To address this issue effectively, joint efforts from official and private sectors, as well as international organizations, are required to analyze the problem and develop solutions that promote marriage and reduce spinsterhood, taking into account expert recommendations.