Q: How is it to be an activist in Yemen? Is it safe?
During the nine years of war in Yemen, my country, since 2014, these difficult situations of conflict encouraged people to help each other: war has rushed our awareness and responsibilities toward our society. In other terms, the conflict situation underlined how it is vital to be an activist to decrease people’s affliction and reach our voices to the world. I had the conviction that nothing could be done armed cross. As activists, we face lots of challenges and dangers because of the insecure environment. Some questions cannot be addressed by activists, and sexual violence in our context is a shame. Therefore, lots of activists are exposed to criticism because they have broken traditions and customs when they tackle this “kind of issue”.
Yemen faces its worst crisis yet due to the support of a historical dictatorial regime, resulting in militia control over various governorates and the imposition of their rules. Consequently, activism has been stifled, and this forced activists to adapt to the challenging circumstances. There are many detained activists, including journalists, politicians, media professionals, and civil society activists, both men and women. Others have been subjected to assassinations, such as Rasha Al-Harazi a female journalist from Yemen, who was killed in a targeted car bomb in Aden on November 9, 2021.
Q: What are the most relevant advocacy issues in Yemen at this moment? How can WILPF help young Yemeni activists?
Amidst the profound challenges spurred by the war in Yemen, including the escalating humanitarian crisis, pervasive violence, and discriminatory practices, a wave of young activists has passionately advocated for the reopening of blocked routes. This initiative aims to alleviate the hardship faced by civilians in accessing essential services such as healthcare and education within the country, thereby facilitating the delivery of humanitarian aid and support to those in need.
Regarding these exacerbating outbreaks of violence that affected women and girls in particular, WILPF is a key ally to partner organisations and the Yemeni women’s movement. The goal is to ensure their experiences and recommendations are reflected in the different tracks of the ongoing peace process, to reach a more localised, inclusive, and sustainable feminist peace process.
WILPF is also seeking to promote Yemeni women as agents of change and influencers within their communities, which has the side effect of reducing harmful gender norms and expectations that prevent women from achieving equality. This work is in addition to advocating for accountability towards perpetrators of women’s rights violations and abuses.
Q: What are the difficulties confronting Yemeni young activists?
Talking about how difficult it is to be an activist, it is important to highlight how young activists have been facing the same challenges and dangers. Several projects stopped building their capacities for two reasons. First, in northern regions, conflict parties hinder youth development projects linked to peace, conflict resolution, and civil and political activities. Conversely, in southern Yemen, secessionist movements favour youth development for southerners, excluding those from the north, leading to unequal opportunities. Second, countless local originations do not have equal standards to involve a lot of young activists in their projects, so many young activists suffer to launch these chances which help them to improve and react to their roles.
Even though young activists have been working in unstable situations, it does not prevent them from achieving successful stories in their society on numerous topics like human rights, anti-violence, climate change, women’s violence, etc.
Q: What is your message for the other Young WILPFers?
“I want to say to the Young WILPFers that they should work to help our society and people who need help, and believe that youth can change the world if starting with small changes.“
Rania Mohammed