Mothers, Daughters, Leaders: The Resilience of Yemeni Women
Now entering its tenth year, the crisis in Yemen remains one of the world’s worst humanitarian disasters. But beneath the rubble lies another story – one of women who are disproportionately affected by the crisis, yet who remain fundamental to their families’ survival. According to the United Nations (UN), over 26% of households in Yemen are headed by women, many of whom have lost their family members to war and displacement.
Women on the Frontlines
According to the UN, more than six million women of childbearing age lack access to reproductive healthcare, and over 1.4 million pregnant or breastfeeding women are acutely malnourished. The collapse of the healthcare system has made childbirth risky, while maternal and infant mortality rates continue to rise. Yet, in the face of conflict and displacement, Yemeni women continue to be providers, protectors, and agents of change.
Another obstacle is access to education. The UN states that 1.5 million girls are currently out of school, heightening their vulnerability to early marriage and exploitation. The lack of education impacts susceptibility gender-based violence. In certain areas, women are prohibited from traveling without a male guardian, isolating them from healthcare, employment, and humanitarian assistance.
Access to clean water and food remains an issue across the nation, especially for women who are traditionally responsible for collecting water and feeding their families. In many areas, women are forced to walk for hours everyday to reach distant water sources, putting their health and security at risk. The burden of securing daily meals has also become increasingly difficult, with increased food prices, limited income opportunities, and widespread malnutrition. As resources are scarce, women are torn between feeding themselves or their children.
Our Impact
Thanks to your generous support, we’re transforming the lives of women in Yemen through impactful food, water, and healthcare projects.
With alarming rates of famine, our bread factory in Aden provides daily sustenance for vulnerable populations – especially widows, orphans, and people with disabilities. For many women-led households, the bread they receive from our factories is the only reliable source of sustenance.
Already one of the most water-scarce countries in the world, the UN reports that Yemen’s crisis has left 20.5 million people without access to safe water and sanitation. Women walk long distances to collect water, risking their health and safety. Our teams are working to rehabilitate deep water wells in Lahj, Ta’iz, Aden, and Abyan through our Water Fund. These wells will benefit tens of thousands of families. Along with our Water Fund, our Food Parcels and Food Fund are reaching vulnerable communities across Yemen, offering lifesaving relief to families struggling with hunger and malnutrition.
In Yemen, illnesses like cholera are rampant, and pregnant women often have nowhere to turn. We are running three Medical Clinics in Aden, Ma’rib, and Abyan, providing care to displaced families.
Yemen’s crisis may be ongoing, but so is the strength and perseverance of its women. With your help, we can continue to provide women with the tools they need to heal and rebuild their lives.
