Empowering women is at the heart of EU engagement in Yemen
On International Women’s Day, we celebrate the strength, resilience and leadership of Yemeni women. Across Yemen, women sustain families, upbring children, support communities and contribute to building local peace in ways that often go unseen. Their role is not only social or humanitarian. It is political, economic and essential to Yemen’s recovery. The European Union’s commitment to Yemen is unwavering, and the empowerment of women is at the heart of that commitment. Whether through humanitarian aid, cooperation programmes, peace-building initiatives, the EU mainstreams gender equality into all its assistance because no country can thrive while half its population is left behind. Unfortunately, Yemeni women continue to bear the brunt of the country’s multilayered crisis, caring for their families at home, in displacement camps and through irregular work across the informal economy. Their resilience deserves recognition, and should be matched by concrete support, protection of their rights and meaningful inclusion at all levels.
In Yemen, the EU puts women at the heart of its engagement. Since 2015, the EU has provided nearly EUR 2 billion in overall support to Yemen across the humanitarian, development and political tracks. In every programme, we work to ensure that women benefit equally: supporting female teachers, entrepreneurs, civil society leaders and local mediators who promote dialogue and peace. We have also supported women through innovative approaches in the creative industries, including cash-for-work schemes, heritage restoration and the establishment of creative hubs across Yemen. These initiatives provide income opportunities, nurture talent and entrepreneurship, and create safe spaces where women can develop skills, build networks and contribute to their communities’ economic and cultural life.
Yemeni women have proven time and again that they are agents of change. Their leadership strengthens communities, promotes stability and drives economic recovery. This is why the EU is working closely with the Government of Yemen, development partner and Yemen’s civil society to expand opportunities for women in education, employment and public life. I can only express my deep appreciation of how much I was impressed by the confident and forward-looking Yemeni women I have met since I took up my assignment a few months ago. They are a true inspiration to their fellow Yemenis.
In this respect, we welcome the recent appointment of three female ministers in the Government of Yemen as an encouraging step forward. Representation matters. Seeing women in leadership sends a powerful message to woman across Yemen that their ambitions are valid and their contributions are valued. But representation alone is not enough. Genuine political commitment is needed to ensure women can participate fully in decision-making at all levels, from the local authority to national institutions and peace talks. Laws must protect women’s rights, institutions must enable equal participation, and the society must recognise women as partners in shaping Yemen’s future.
Empowering women is not only about equality. It is about sustainable development and stronger societies. Countries that invest in women’s education, employment and leadership are more stable, more prosperous and more resilient. In Yemen, the EU proudly supports women-led initiatives in areas of education, health, conflict resolution, humanitarian and community recovery in ways that ensure Yemeni women are at the heart of our engagement in Yemen. Civil society organisations led by women in Marib, Aden, Hadhramaut, Taiz and beyond are promoting dialogue, supporting displaced families and keeping hope alive in difficult times.
The European Union will continue to stand by Yemeni women. We will continue to support female entrepreneurs, protect girls’ access to education, back women mediators and advocate for inclusive governance. But lasting change must come from within Yemen itself. Political leaders, institutions and communities all share responsibility to remove barriers facing women and to create space for their leadership.
On this International Women’s Day, let us reaffirm a simple truth: Yemen’s peace and prosperity need the empowerment of Yemeni women at all levels. Yemen will be stronger and more resilient with empowered women. And the European Union will remain a steadfast partner on that journey.