Yemen’s multi-layered crisis has taken a heavy toll on women in Yemen, a country where gender inequalities were staggering even before the onset of the war. Years of struggle to advance women’s rights and political participation were significantly eroded as the prolonged armed conflict added new layers of vulnerabilities and challenges to women. Advocating for women’s rights and their political inclusion was pushed even further down the agenda. This should not be the case. Empowered women are crucial to the development and prosperity of Yemen. 

As is the case in all conflicts worldwide, the war has created new challenges and vulnerabilities for women in Yemen – a country that was already occupying the bottom position of the Global Gender Gap Index. In addition, besides the known devastating effects of war on women and girls everywhere, Yemen has also witnessed a surge in gender discriminatory policies. The European Union remains deeply concerned about the restrictions imposed on the freedom of movement of women, notably in the Houthi-controlled north, and the related constraints imposed on female aid workers. These restrictions undermine Yemeni women’s ability to work, gain financial independence and contribute to the delivery of essential humanitarian aid and social services to vulnerable Yemeni populations across the country. 

The empowerment of women is crucial to building resilient communities. Women are catalysts for local development and economic resilience. This is why unlocking women’s potentials is a public good. The exclusion of half of the population from the labour market and from public decision-making is as foolish as it is discriminatory. 

As we mark the International Women’s Day, we pay tribute to the Yemeni women in every household, farm, school, hospital, private and public institution who continue the struggle to ensure the wellbeing of their families and communities despite all challenges they are facing. The role of Yemeni women has been key to the resilience of their communities. These women are the unsung heroes whom we should not forget at this occasion. 

The EU is a global front-runner in promoting gender equality as a key political objective of its external action and common foreign and security policy, aimed at accelerating progress towards global goals including the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) at the core of the 2030 Agenda. Beneath this global policy for the EU, we remain committed to empowering Yemeni women and promoting their inclusion in all areas. It is one of our strategic priorities that we keep at the heart of our engagement with Yemen. Promoting women’s rights and economic empowerment are mainstreamed into all of our programmes. Together with our implementing partners, the EU’s development cooperation projects with Yemen put particular emphasis on empowering women and promoting inclusion of women. From education to healthcare, economic resilience to climate adaptation, we keep women at the centre of our programming. 

In my various encounters with Yemeni women, I have always been impressed by their unflinching commitment to political participation and desire to contribute to the future of their country. I believe it is of particular importance for us men to champion this matter as we are the ones who need to make space for our fellow female citizens and colleagues. Furthermore, we need to move from words to actions. We have heard all the defensive arguments for too long, and for too long have we accepted them. In 2024 there is no longer an excuse for the exclusion of women and the lack of respect for women’s human rights. Ten years after the conclusion of the National Dialogue Conference, the stipulated representation of at least 30% of women in all decision-making bodies shaping the country’s future is even further away than in 2014.

In our dialogues with Yemeni officials, we miss no opportunity to underscore the importance of ensuring women’s political inclusion. There is still much room for improvement in this field and we will not give up. Achieving a just, sustainable and inclusive political settlement in Yemen is the EU’s top priority. It is only through a lasting peace that Yemen can prosper and Yemenis can enjoy a better life. And it is only through the meaningful inclusion of women in all aspects of political dialogue and peace building that this long-term project for Yemen’s future can be achieved.

Ambassador Gabriel Munuera Viñals

Head of EU Delegation to Yemen