Hebah Mohammed – Women in Development and Peace
Given the immense challenges facing Yemeni women, the role of women’s organizations in promoting reproductive health as a cornerstone of development and social stability is crucial. Achieving good reproductive health for women in Yemen is a major challenge; these organizations fight daily to provide essential services despite significant obstacles.
This report examines the complex reality faced by Yemeni women’s organizations, the challenges they confront, the discrepancies between their roles and ambitions, and how they navigate this reality, striving to empower and educate women in the realm of reproductive health in Yemen.
Women’s Organizations and Reproductive Health Services
To promote women’s health rights in Yemen, women’s organizations and entities play a key role in highlighting the importance of reproductive health services and providing support and awareness to improve women’s health and well-being.
Dr. Mayyada Faisal, consultant for grants, partnerships, and research at the Field Medical Foundation, states, “Women’s organizations in Yemen play a pivotal role in highlighting the reality of women’s healthcare, especially given the significant challenges women face in accessing comprehensive and appropriate healthcare services. They work to raise awareness of women’s health rights, including reproductive and maternal healthcare, and strive to bridge the gap in providing these services in rural and underserved areas through awareness campaigns, direct support, and advocacy with government and international bodies.”
She notes that women’s organizations contribute to improving women’s access to necessary healthcare, particularly amidst Yemen’s difficult circumstances: armed conflict, deteriorating economic conditions, and damaged health infrastructure.
She adds, “These organizations play a vital role in supporting women affected by gender-based violence by providing mental health services and specialized medical care, thereby strengthening women’s resilience and enhancing contributions to community development.”
She emphasizes that Yemeni women’s organizations play a vital role in empowering women and promoting their health rights by providing platforms to defend women’s rights, amplifying their voices to decision-makers, and empowering women through education and training on their health rights, including reproductive health, family planning, and providing the information and resources that enable women to make informed decisions about their health.
Sabah Al-Dhafri, head of the Yemeni Midwives Association, says, “Many women’s organizations have ceased implementing projects and activities related to reproductive health in Yemen due to significant challenges and obstacles that prevented their continued operation. This is what happened to the Yemeni Midwives Association, which halted all its health activities since the beginning of the conflict.”
Activities and Programs of Women’s Organizations
“Field Medical Foundation deeply cares about women’s issues and their empowerment in society, promoting equality in accessing various services, and socioeconomic empowerment,” says Dr. Mayyada. “In its previous (2018-2022) and current (2023-2027) strategic plans, the Foundation set a strategic goal focused on women’s empowerment, aiming to achieve this by mobilizing resources and formulating internal policies that serve this strategic goal.”
Mayyada mentions several activities and programs implemented by the foundation in the field of reproductive health and maternal and child health, including providing reproductive health services to pregnant and breastfeeding mothers through its general health projects and specific reproductive health projects, supporting government health facilities with operating budgets and incentives for healthcare workers, recruiting specialists to work in remote areas, and providing medicines, equipment, and supplies that contribute to the continued operation of health facilities.
She notes that the foundation has conducted awareness campaigns on the importance of reproductive health through community health volunteers, many of whom are women, as well as through young male and female volunteers, social media, and media.
She explains that the foundation has used creative approaches, such as establishing a room equipped to host community dialogues (podcasts) on health and nutrition with specialists and community leaders and sharing these via social media.
She adds that the foundation has supported mobile clinics to provide comprehensive health and nutrition services, including reproductive health services, in remote areas; the foundation ensures that women are included in clinic staff to help guarantee effective and successful service delivery to women and girls. They also train healthcare workers to improve the quality of services provided, while ensuring gender equality.
Laila Al-Faqih, head of Generations Without Qat Development Organization, shared, “The Generations Without Qat Awareness and Development Organization strives to boost women’s reproductive health through a wide range of activities and programs aimed at educating the community about its importance, especially during pregnancy and childbirth.”
She continued, “Through targeted awareness campaigns in displacement camps and host communities across several governorates, we aim to highlight the importance of reproductive healthcare. We also strive to provide necessary medical equipment that enhances reproductive health in the targeted areas, such as Al-Salu, Al-Mudhaffar, and Al-Qahira directorates in Taiz Governorate.”
She added, “We’re building specialized health units and equipping birthing rooms to serve marginalized women and girls. We also organize workshops and awareness seminars that highlight the importance of protecting women and children, including reproductive health.”
Dr. Hamida Zayid, Director General of the General Directorate for Women and Youth, and head of Women Pulse Foundation for Relief and Health Awareness – Aden, pointed out that the United Nations Population Fund is a key partner in providing reproductive health services, providing medical teams and mobile clinics to ensure safe childbirth and family planning services to reduce maternal mortality, which has increased after the conflicts.
She stressed the need to raise health awareness among mothers and pregnant women to reduce pregnancy complications, highlighting the significant role of women’s organizations in Yemen in empowering women in all aspects of society, including health.
She mentioned that Women Pulse Foundation constantly strives to raise the health, cultural, and educational levels of women through scientific lectures and training courses in first aid. The foundation also aspires to conduct training courses for female high school graduates in midwifery programs for home births, depending on available resources, and transfer cases to the hospital when necessary.
Tangible Results
Regarding the results achieved by some women’s organizations in their efforts to enhance women’s reproductive health services, Dr. Mayyada noted that Al-Madina Medical Foundation provided integrated services in areas targeted by the foundation’s projects, including health, nutrition, and protection services in several governorates.
She added, “Improving the quality of services provided in local health facilities, reducing diseases related to reproductive health, lowering maternal and child mortality rates, and boosting nutrition services for mothers and children, including breastfeeding, are among the foundation’s goals. We’ve also set up dedicated spaces to provide guidance on breastfeeding and child nutrition.”
She confirmed that the results of these efforts include supporting the implementation of mother-to-mother counseling initiatives through health, reproductive health, and nutrition projects, as well as supporting the implementation of father-to-father counseling initiatives to support women’s access to services.
Al-Faqih also noted, “The efforts we’ve implemented in cooperation with other organizations have certainly played a significant role in raising awareness of the importance of reproductive health in local communities. These efforts have improved services provided to women in the targeted areas, contributing to a reduction in maternal and child mortality rates.”
She pointed out that by organizing workshops and seminars attended by women, local authorities, and community influencers, the foundation was able to empower women to participate in decision-making regarding reproductive health and protect women and children.
The Challenges
Women’s organizations in Yemen face many challenges in raising awareness about reproductive health due to the country’s complex social, economic, and political situation.
Dr. Mayyada mentioned one of the most prominent challenges: weak health infrastructure. Many rural areas lack qualified health centers and basic health services, limiting women’s access to information and reproductive healthcare. She added, “The shortage of qualified personnel in rural areas due to lack of resources and funding is a major challenge. In addition, societal customs and traditions, which often consider reproductive health topics taboo, hinder the efforts of women’s organizations in raising awareness; some families hesitate to discuss these topics or allow women to benefit from these services.”
Al-Dhafri added, “Lack of funding and insufficient international and local support impacts these organizations’ ability to reach all target areas and provide sustainable programs. The ongoing conflict in Yemen is another huge challenge; the fighting worsens security, increases displacement, making it hard to reach vulnerable women and girls in conflict zones.”
She explained that despite these challenges, women’s organizations continue working hard to overcome obstacles and spread awareness about reproductive health.
Al-Faqih mentioned a major challenge facing Generations Without Qat for Awareness and Development: lack of funding for civil society work protecting women and girls, including reproductive health. This impacts the sustainability of activities, programs, and health services for women and girls.
Solutions and Proposals
Given Yemen’s huge challenges, improving maternal and child healthcare and reproductive health services—essential for community health—is crucial. This requires collective efforts and cooperation among all stakeholders, including the government, organizations, and the local community.
Al-Dhafri said, “By implementing effective solutions and proposals, we can make huge strides in improving the health of mothers and children, ensuring they get the healthcare they need. Investing in midwives is investing in women’s health and the well-being of the entire community.”
She continued, “We need comprehensive training programs that qualify midwives according to international standards. Training should be appropriately long, focusing on practical and theoretical skills. These programs should include modules on women’s mental and social health. Regular refresher courses for working and non-working midwives are needed to update their knowledge and skills.”
She stressed that unemployment among qualified midwives is a major challenge for maternal and childcare services. The government and health facilities must provide jobs for qualified midwives, especially in rural and remote areas lacking healthcare, and offer financial incentives to work in these areas, encouraging service provision and strengthening their presence in communities in need.
She highlighted the need to create centers providing psychosocial support to pregnant women and new mothers, helping them cope with challenges and promoting maternal mental health, particularly for those suffering from obstetric fistula or conflict-related trauma.
Dr. Mayyada noted the importance of integrating awareness campaigns on gender-based violence into reproductive health programs to ensure comprehensive support for affected women and enhance access to appropriate healthcare.
She mentioned that establishing mobile health teams and community awareness programs targeting rural and underserved areas would help get information and services to women and girls who can’t reach health centers due to distance or security concerns.