Women in Development and Peace – Ahmed Bajoaim
The incident of Marwa Al-Beiti’s murder stands as one of the most heinous acts of violence witnessed in Yemen, specifically in the city of Al-Mukalla in Hadhramout Governorate, during recent years. In late February 2020, her husband committed one of the most brutal acts of violence against a woman in Yemen.
He poured gasoline on her body in front of their three children and then set her on fire. Neighbors intervened upon hearing her screams and the cries of her children. They rushed her to the hospital, but she had suffered severe burns covering 80% of her body. Sadly, she lost her life after two days in intensive care.
Within moments of this crime, social media platforms erupted with a solidarity campaign for the victim, Marwa, and statements of condemnation echoed throughout the governorate and Yemen as a whole.
The relevant authorities concerning women’s rights directly intervened in the case. Among these entities were the National Women’s Committee and the Yemeni Women’s Union in Hadhramout’s coastal region. They actively advocated before the courts and prosecutors. In mid-2023, the Court of Appeals in Al-Mukalla issued a death sentence for the murderer of the victim, Marwa Al-Beiti. However, as of the report’s preparation, the sentence has not been executed yet. This strict ruling represents a victory for women who face violence and serves as a deterrent punishment for those who dare to commit violence against women.
Health Status
Regarding the health situation, the victim, Marwa, was one of the abused women who passed away within the hospital. However, it would be unfair to blame the hospital or criticize the health care provided to women. Marwa’s case was extremely challenging, with approximately 80% of her body suffering from severe burns. Similarly, there has been a significant decline in overall health conditions across the republic. A report by the International Committee of the Red Cross, titled “Yemen: Women and Girls Struggle for Basic Health Care Services” (July 2022), highlighted that less than 50% of childbirth cases in Yemen occur under supervised health care in hospitals. Shockingly, one woman and six newborns die every two hours due to the lack of essential health services or inadequate care during childbirth.
As reported, the number of internally displaced persons (IDPs) since the outbreak of the conflict has exceeded 4.2 million, with 73% of them being women and children. Women face significant challenges in accessing essential services, including deteriorating healthcare.
In the same context, a recent study conducted by the Arab Women’s Organization, titled “Social Protection Systems for Women in the Health Sector in the Republic of Yemen” in 2023, revealed a grim reality regarding women’s health in Yemen. The study highlighted that providing healthcare and improving its quality significantly contributes to reducing mortality rates.
Furthermore, the study indicated that the maternal mortality rate in Yemen during childbirth reached approximately 148 cases per 100,000 live births due to the deteriorating health situation. Notably, rural areas experience higher mortality rates compared to urban areas, reaching 188 cases per 100,000 live births in 2021.
According to the study, these indicators reveal the significant deficiencies in healthcare for women, especially pregnant women. Consequently, the study recommends improving healthcare services and providing comprehensive care for women. It emphasizes the importance of postpartum care based on Yemeni laws regarding social protection in the health sector. This includes delivering essential health, preventive, and therapeutic services to both mothers and children during pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period.
Dr. Faiza Al-Amoudi, Deputy Director-General for Medical and Therapeutic Services at the Office of Public Health and Population in Hadhramout’s coastal region, explained that the Reproductive Health Department focuses on women’s health during pregnancy and childbirth. They play a crucial role in monitoring the duration of pregnancy for women, significantly contributing to reducing complications during childbirth. Some pregnancy and childbirth complications can even lead to maternal death if regular health care and follow-up are not provided.
Dr. Al-Amoudi further clarified that there are three specialized protection centers and safe spaces for women in the coastal areas of Hadhramout (Al-Mukalla, Al-Shahr, and Ghayl Bawazir). These centers have a dedicated team that cares for abused women or those suffering from psychological trauma. They provide safe protection and rehabilitation, empowering women economically by enabling them to pursue various professions that suit their needs. This effort is coordinated with civil society organizations and local institutions.
In 2018, one of the centers in the city of Al-Mukalla ceased operations due to financial constraints and shortages of resources. However, the centers in the Al-Shahr and Ghayl Bawazir directorates continue to function to this day, thanks to the support provided by international organizations.
Causes of Maternal Deaths
According to Dr. Huda Muawada, the causes of maternal deaths in healthcare centers are often due to insufficient healthcare services, especially during childbirth. Additionally, some cases of childbirth reach healthcare centers and hospitals late and in poor health conditions. Even if good healthcare services and care are available, these delays can be detrimental.
In a report mentioned by Al Jazeera Net, Yemen leads Arab countries in maternal mortality rates. Approximately 3,600 women lose their lives annually. The report, titled “Due to Conflict: Ten Yemeni Women Die Daily During Childbirth” (January 2019), attributes responsibility for these deaths to the government. Neglect of healthcare conditions, particularly in rural areas, and the fragility of services provided in healthcare centers contribute to this alarming situation. Moreover, ongoing conflicts have led to the destruction of healthcare infrastructure in both urban and rural areas.
These sobering statistics underscore the urgent need for improved maternal healthcare and stronger healthcare systems to protect the lives of women during childbirth. Let us continue advocating for better healthcare access and support for vulnerable populations.
Bad Treatment
Under the alias, “Noor,” she lost her life in a hospital in Du’an district of Hadhramout Governorate, Yemen, nearly five years ago due to mistreatment. Noor’s brother recounts the tragic events:
“In the eighth month of pregnancy, we went to the hospital for routine examinations with a specialized doctor of Russian nationality. After necessary tests, including X-rays, the doctor informed us that Noor needed an urgent delivery because the fetus was experiencing distress. However, the doctor’s assistant discreetly warned us that the Russian doctor was not being truthful. We were given no time to consider our options—either proceed to the delivery room or leave the hospital, absolving her of responsibility.
Driven by concern and fear for Noor’s condition, we agreed to the premature delivery. Unexpectedly, things took a dire turn. Noor was taken to the labor room, where the Russian doctor employed threatening and terrifying tactics. She coerced Noor into taking medications to expedite labor. After approximately two hours of excruciating pain and screams, Noor gave birth, but tragically, the newborn emerged lifeless due to the use of force during delivery. Following this traumatic experience, Noor suffered complications for months, narrowly escaping death.”
Noor was not the only one who received poor treatment from specialized staff in Yemeni hospitals. There are many similar accounts to Noor’s story in various local hospitals across Yemen. This situation arises due to the lack of oversight by relevant authorities.
Treatments
Deputy Director of the Public Health and Population Office in the coastal region of Hadhramout, Dr. Faiza Al-Amoudi, emphasized the importance of proposing solutions to provide essential services for women in health centers. These proposals should come from experienced professionals and be presented to donor agencies. Additionally, efforts should focus on sustaining these solutions and intensifying training and qualification programs for medical staff, especially midwives and workers in maternity centers.
Dr. Huda Muawada also recalled several points aimed at improving overall health conditions, including those related to maternal and child health in Yemen. These points include conducting comprehensive studies on Yemen’s health situation to identify its needs. Collaborating with relevant ministries, international organizations, and donor countries is crucial to bridging existing gaps. Furthermore, joint efforts should prevent conflicting parties from involving the health sector in the conflict, prioritizing citizens’ well-being. Providing training programs and qualifications on state-of-the-art equipment for healthcare centers is essential.
In conclusion, the health situation for women in Yemen faces significant challenges and urgently requires continuous improvement. The scarcity of medical resources jeopardizes women’s lives and limits their access to essential healthcare services. Immediate actions are necessary to enhance women’s health by allocating more financial and technological resources to the healthcare sector. Additionally, promoting health awareness and reinforcing women’s rights to comprehensive healthcare are vital steps forward.