Yasmine Abdulhafeez – Women in Development and Peace
Yemen has been ranked as the worst country in the world for women, a reality reflected in various political, security, economic, and social spheres. Yemeni women face numerous hardships due to the conflict’s repercussions, affecting all aspects of their lives. However, their determination to achieve their aspirations has forced them to consider migrating abroad, as there are no avenues for achieving their goals within Yemen. They seek stability and a sense of security.
Many women have moved to different countries around the world, and their lives transformed into a living hell. They face existential challenges that threaten their lives and dignity as a result of the conflict. Some have lost their families, others have been deprived of education, and still others have been subjected to violence. Yemeni women desperately need support and assistance outside their homeland, as they have found no alternative to migration in their search for a haven and a dignified life.
According to unofficial human rights estimates, the number of Yemenis abroad has reached approximately four million migrants, expatriates, and refugees, including women and children. These individuals play a role in raising awareness about Yemen and the challenges it faces in various aspects, highlighting the humanitarian suffering experienced by the Yemeni people to the international community. They also have the potential – particularly if they actively engage in civil society organizations or through the media – to shape global public opinion in support of the Yemeni cause in a positive way. They strive to end the conflict and achieve development, peace, and national reconciliation.
The Importance of the Role of Organizations in the Diaspora
First, we must understand the numerous challenges faced by Yemeni women in the diaspora, including differences in customs, traditions, and laws between Yemen and their host countries, as well as difficulties in communication and interaction within the new society, especially in Europe or America. They face forms of discrimination based on gender, race, or religion, and are exposed to domestic and societal violence. There are also difficulties in obtaining residency or citizenship and sometimes challenges in finding employment or securing livelihoods.
We can highlight the role of organizations in addressing these challenges by recognizing their vital role in supporting Yemeni women in the diaspora. This includes providing psychological and social support through the provision of mental health programs and workshops to raise awareness about women’s rights in different countries, offering legal and financial assistance, and building capacity through targeted training programs for women in language and life skills. Organizations also work to connect Yemeni women in the diaspora with each other and with local communities.
“Lamar International Initiative” as a Model
In 2020, “Lamar International Initiative” was launched with the participation of many Yemeni women from different countries around the world. It focuses on the issues of Yemeni women abroad, promoting their participation and active role in host societies across various fields.
The initiative aims to develop and empower the role of Yemeni migrant women as influential forces in society, enabling them to contribute effectively to sustainable development, promoting their rights, and protecting them from all forms of violence. This is achieved through comprehensive programs that support their capabilities and develop their skills.
A report issued by the initiative stated that it will work to integrate Yemeni women into the development of host societies, striving to improve their social and economic standing, and empowering them to invest their creative and productive energies in a better way.
Among the most important activities implemented by the international initiative was a workshop to support Yemeni women in the diaspora in 2020, with the participation of social, political, and academic figures. The aim was to shed light on the issues of Yemeni women affected by the conflict, especially those who have been subjected to various forms of violence and forced to flee their country.
The initiative also implemented a training course for many Yemeni women in foreign countries, including one on digital security, to protect themselves from online breaches and how to safeguard their accounts from such threats. The course also covered the origins of cybersecurity, types of cybercrime, and the difference between information security and cybersecurity.
Another example of an initiative in the diaspora that supports Yemeni women is “Riaheen Al-Yemen Initiative” in Malaysia, which provides support through the implementation of training and qualification courses in life skills to enable women to open businesses that can support themselves and their families.
The initiative has implemented numerous qualification programs in the fields of women’s beauty, embroidery, and pastry making, in addition to organizing training workshops in human development, as well as holding numerous evenings and events aimed at supporting the economic and developmental empowerment of Yemeni women.
Women Role Models
Yemeni poet and writer Saba Hamza is one of the Yemeni women who left Yemen due to the outbreak of the conflict in the country. She traveled with her children to Egypt, then to Turkey, and eventually settled as a refugee in the Netherlands. She received a scholarship funded by the University of Utrecht in the Netherlands, which enabled her to obtain a master’s degree in gender studies from the university.
Another example is Yemeni-American activist Sharifa Al-Khatib, who has received attention from her host society. She was honored by the US Embassy for her efforts in advocating for Muslim women through the establishment of a national organization dedicated to the affairs of Muslim women in the United States, in addition to her active participation in implementing numerous educational and social initiatives in the diaspora.
Yemeni activist Muna Luqman is not far behind. She received the Courage and Exceptional Leadership Award for Creating a Safer and More Stable World from former US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Georgetown University in 2023. This was not the only award Luqman has received. She has also won numerous awards, including the “World Peacemakers” Award in 2021. She was selected by the Joan Kroc Institute for Peace and Justice at the University of San Diego in the United States for a 12-month fellowship program as part of the Peacemakers program for 2021-2020, alongside four other winners from different countries around the world.
Luqman has distinguished herself in the fields of charity, humanitarian work, and women’s empowerment. Through “Food for Humanity Foundation,” she has implemented numerous development projects in the areas of water, girls’ education, and more.
The Voices of Yemeni Women in the Diaspora
While some Yemeni women in the diaspora have received support from the international community, others have received little to no support, neither from international organizations nor from government or non-governmental institutions, nor even from the relevant authorities in their own country. This is despite their significant efforts to convey a message of peace from their conflict-ridden homeland to the world, and their carrying of responsibilities beyond their capacity in foreign lands.
On the importance and necessity of supporting Yemeni women in the diaspora, journalist Ilham A’mir says, “Providing support to Yemeni women in the diaspora is an urgent necessity. This can be done by facilitating and creating sources of income to address the challenges of living abroad, and finding solutions to the problems women face, whether they are refugees, students, or employees. It’s also important to strengthen national identity and hold events to keep national memory alive. This can only be achieved through the active and fruitful participation of Yemeni women. These events also have an impact on families and children who are connected to their motherland.”
Numerous press reports confirm that empowering Yemeni migrant women economically, socially, and legally, while strengthening their role in society, ensures their active contribution to spreading Yemeni culture and fostering the peace-building process. This can only be achieved through providing comprehensive programs that support their capabilities, develop their skills, provide them with legal and social protection, encourage their active participation in decision-making, and build strong networks with international women’s organizations. This will help achieve sustainable development and social justice in Yemen.