Strong voices: Yemeni Women's Political Participation from Protest to Transition
Based on focus group discussions with women from different backgrounds in Aden, Sa’ada, Sana’a and Ta’iz, the report, prepared by SaferWorld, seeks to shed light on the participation of women in street and institutional politics during Yemen’s change processes in 2011 and 2012, as perceived by women themselves. According to the consultations, women see their participation as part of a wider struggle against broader systems of oppression and in support of justice and equality for all Yemeni citizens. Issues of livelihood and insecurity emerged at the top of their agenda; including the poor state of the economy, unemployment, price rises and the lack of basic social services, such as healthcare and education. For women in Sa’ada and among internally displaced persons from Abyan, chronic insecurity was a major driver of anger and frustration and a reason for protest. In Aden, the Southern Issue was a cross-cutting problem. In all of these instances, the political establishment and system of rule was seen to contribute to the economic, social and security problems affecting women in their daily lives.
Based on focus group discussions with women from different backgrounds in Aden, Sa’ada, Sana’a and Ta’iz, the report, prepared by SaferWorld, seeks to shed light on the participation of women in street and institutional politics during Yemen’s change processes in 2011 and 2012, as perceived by women themselves. According to the consultations, women see their participation as part of a wider struggle against broader systems of oppression and in support of justice and equality for all Yemeni citizens. Issues of livelihood and insecurity emerged at the top of their agenda; including the poor state of the economy, unemployment, price rises and the lack of basic social services, such as healthcare and education. For women in Sa’ada and among internally displaced persons from Abyan, chronic insecurity was a major driver of anger and frustration and a reason for protest. In Aden, the Southern Issue was a cross-cutting problem. In all of these instances, the political establishment and system of rule was seen to contribute to the economic, social and security problems affecting women in their daily lives.