Women in Development and Peace – Hebah Mohammed
In a time when Yemen faces a challenging economic crisis that has persisted for years, Yemeni women encounter additional hurdles. These challenges include a rising incidence of violence against them. The difficult economic situation, lack of employment opportunities, and high poverty rates all contribute to the increased vulnerability of women to violence and the expansion of its scope.
Women in Yemen are often targets of gender-based violence, whether within their households or in the public and private sectors. Employment plays a crucial role in shaping their economic and social lives.
The Impact of Economic Situation on Women
Many Yemeni women struggle to secure suitable and sustainable job opportunities. A significant number of them face poverty and rely on economic assistance. There exists a close link between the challenging economic conditions and the escalating violence against women in Yemen.
The researcher in the field of women’s economic empowerment, Hiyam Al-Abssi, states: “The weak and crumbling economic situation significantly impacts the status of Yemeni women and increases the incidence of violence against them. The economic challenges resulting from poverty lead to numerous social problems. Often, men lack sufficient awareness to address these challenges constructively, resorting to violence against women. This violence can manifest as either physical or psychological aggression. Unfortunately, the difficult economic conditions exacerbate the violence faced by women, who are often considered the most vulnerable segment of Yemeni society.”
It is disheartening to witness how economic hardships can perpetuate gender-based violence, especially within households. The pressures and economic burdens faced by men sometimes lead to harmful behaviors towards women. Despite these challenges, women continue to demonstrate resilience and determination.
In addition, the Good Intentions Ambassador, Dr. Amina Mohsen, states: “The deteriorating economic situation is one of the factors that has increased violence against women. The ongoing conflict has led to radical changes in social and economic roles, especially for women. With many men losing their sources of livelihood or dying due to the conflict, women have been forced to take on the responsibility of providing for their families.”
She further adds: “Unemployment rates have significantly risen in Yemen, and women have become victims of inflation and soaring prices. This is particularly challenging amidst the ongoing armed conflicts, which hinder the delivery of humanitarian aid. Despite the severe shortages in food security, medicine, shelter, and essential services such as healthcare and education, 24 million people in Yemen continue to struggle for survival and livelihood.”
Furthermore, it points to the stark reality of poverty in Yemen, specifically the poverty rate among women, which has significantly increased. The percentage of the population living below the national poverty line rose from 48.6% in 2014 to 78.8% in 2019. This negative impact on poverty rates is particularly pronounced among households led by women, reaching 72%, compared to 54% for households led by men. The escalation of poverty in Yemen can be attributed to the conflict, which has led to the collapse of the economy. According to United Nations statistics, the country has lost over 89 billion US dollars in economic activity since 2015.
Moreover, the adverse effects of the dire economic situation disproportionately affect impoverished women. They face continuous domestic violence from their spouses or other family members due to the inability of parents to provide necessary financial support for their families. Consequently, some girls are forced to drop out of education to assist in meeting their family’s needs. This ultimately results in a preference for male education over female education, as well as the subjugation of girls to the authority of their brothers and their exposure to violence. Additionally, early marriage becomes an escape from poverty for some young girls.
Regarding the connection between women’s economic independence and violence, Hiyam Al-Abssi states: “Women’s economic independence faces many challenges. It can lead to an increase in violence against them. Many men prefer to remain dominant in decision-making and control economic aspects within the family and society. When women begin to achieve self-reliance, internal conflicts arise within the family, manifesting as verbal and sometimes physical violence against women who seek change and progress.”
Al-Abssi further explains that financial and economic independence for women is essential for achieving equality. Additionally, their participation in decisions related to their lives contributes to a sense of responsibility. Despite this, women face challenges that threaten the traditional roles expected of them in society, which often conflict with male roles. Some men within the family, including husbands and brothers, perceive women’s financial and economic independence as a threat.
In the context of her discussion, Hiyam Al-Abssi emphasizes that domestic violence against women poses a serious threat to their personal rights and freedom. It is essential for everyone to work towards changing entrenched beliefs, promoting equality, and respecting women’s rights to economic independence and decision-making.
The Widening Gap of Violence Against Yemeni Women
In the context of her discussion, Dr. Ahlam Nasser, a specialist in social thought, states: “The widening gap of violence against women in Yemen is increasing day by day, especially in recent years. This is due to societal ignorance that still prevails in the minds of most community members, particularly regarding how to safeguard women’s rights.”
She points out that the challenging economic conditions faced by millions of Yemeni families have led to an expansion of violence against women. Women have attempted to confront these economic circumstances, standing against a Yemeni culture that often deals with women by disregarding their rights and subjecting them to various forms of abuse. It is accurate to say that Yemen has been under significant pressure in recent times, and this has a profound impact on families and women in particular.
Additionally, Dr. Amina notes that women in the age groups of 14, 19, 22, and 24 are the most vulnerable to violence, whether from family members or society. Yemeni women frequently experience violence, resulting in exacerbated physical and psychological suffering for them.
Amina emphasizes that the role of parents in upbringing is crucial in reducing violence against women. This involves avoiding favoritism in raising male children over female children and working to care for and protect them from various forms of physical, sexual, and psychological violations. These violations result from armed conflicts, including harassment, rape, murder, displacement, and forced migration. The recent surge in violence against women is due to the absence of effective laws prohibiting violence and holding perpetrators accountable.
Continuing Violence and Discrimination in the Workplace
Hiyam Al-Abssi, a researcher in women’s economic empowerment, states: “Violence against women is not limited to physical or sexual forms; it also manifests in different contexts, including the workplace. Marginalization and decision-making without women’s participation constitute hidden forms of violence that hinder their professional progress. The excuse often given is that women are incapable of attending business meetings held at late hours.”
Additionally, Amina points out that Yemeni women also face violence manifested in workplace discrimination regarding wages and promotions. Often, women are marginalized in this regard, even if they possess the necessary experience and qualifications. Their promotions or salary improvements are often discouraged, citing that they are incapable of continuous presence or making urgent or critical decisions. These justifications serve as a means to exclude them from competition and advancement.
Al-Abssi believes that the violence women face can manifest through behaviors or actions that harm or demean them. This includes sexual or physical harassment and other direct or indirect actions that make women feel threatened or harmed while performing their jobs. Such violence can be devastating for women, affecting their mental well-being, job performance, and potentially leading them to leave their positions.
The statement by Al-Abssi highlights that workplace violence has a significant impact on women’s employment rates and their ability to access economic opportunities. Many women are forced to leave their jobs due to their inability to confront this violence. Some endure it silently to avoid losing their employment. These challenges arise from the deteriorating economic and security conditions resulting from conflict.
Fawzia Abd Rabbo, the head of the Yemeni Women’s Union in Sana’a, emphasizes that gender disparities in wages and promotions contribute to violence against women in many contexts. These disparities, which manifest as discrimination against women, lead to an increase in cases of violence and oppression against them. For instance, in certain rural areas, female workers in farms and lands receive lower wages than men, despite performing the same tasks.
The Repercussions of Violence and Economic Weakness
The repercussions of violence and economic vulnerability can have disastrous effects on sustainable development and the economy. Fawzia explains, “Violence can lead to the deterioration of women’s mental health, impacting their ability to participate in work and economic development. It also forces women to leave their jobs or studies, resulting in income loss and reduced participation in economic growth.”
She further points out that continuing acts of violence against women hinder their access to proper education and training, impeding their full participation in economic development. This situation leads to disruptions in the productive workforce, which in turn affects economic growth and sustainable development.
Khawla Al-Sharafi, the head of the National Women’s Committee in Ibb Governorate, adds, “Yemeni women have faced significant burdens due to the economic downturn in Yemen. The consequences have escalated, resulting in increased family breakdowns and displacement. Internally, women and children have been uprooted, divorce rates have noticeably risen among families, and incidents of violence have surged within households and among individuals.”
Al-Sharafi explains that difficult economic conditions have led to weakening family ties, increasing the severity of violence against women and children. The lack of suitable job opportunities for women has exacerbated economic pressures on families, resulting in income shortages and financial resources, leading to increased tensions and domestic conflicts where women are often the primary victims.
Economic Challenges
Al-Abssi points out that the economic hardships faced by many Yemeni families, including increased poverty rates and insufficient economic opportunities, contribute to the likelihood of violence against women due to economic pressures. This vulnerability also makes them more susceptible to exploitation. Additionally, the lack of capacity among relevant authorities to provide necessary support for women experiencing violence—whether through legal or psychological services or by ensuring economic opportunities—further exacerbates the situation.
Amina adds, “In certain periods, some sectors have shown improvements in their focus on women and girls. However, these gains have not been sustained due to the ongoing conflicts in Yemen. Consequently, women do not receive the necessary services and protection. Implementing programs to combat violence, ensuring legal and psychological support, and activating shelters for abused women—especially those affiliated with the Yemeni Women’s Union across all branches—remain crucial.”
Treatments
Addressing violence against women and achieving gender equality are crucial for building a just and sustainable society. The economy plays a decisive role in influencing violence against women, as economic hardships can exacerbate psychological and health issues, making women more vulnerable to violence and exploitation.
To tackle this problem effectively, there is a need to adopt targeted interventions that focus on the economic aspects to bring about positive change in reducing existing forms of violence against women. Dr. Al-Sharafi emphasizes, “We consistently strive to elevate interventions aimed at combating violence against women by providing sustainable and equitable employment opportunities. This includes promoting women’s employment in vital sectors, offering training and professional development opportunities, as well as providing financial support and funding for women to develop their own projects. Strengthening their self-reliance and achieving economic independence are essential goals.”
On her part, Maha Awad, President of the Wogood Foundation for Human Security in Aden, emphasizes the importance of issuing a law to protect women and girls from violence, amending the law of crimes and penalties by abolishing Article 232 related to honor crimes, imposing strict penalties on perpetrators, establishing shelters and psychological support centers, providing safe spaces and legal assistance for victims across all provinces, and activating the role of the Ministry of Justice in providing free legal aid to impoverished women.
Awad also highlighted the necessity of providing institutional, technical, training, and rehabilitation support to civil society and women’s organizations in the field of combating violence, establishing family courts to resolve domestic disputes, and launching awareness campaigns through media to change the stereotypical image of women.