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Strengthening the Resilience of Women Human Rights Defenders in Yemen

Duration: March 2022 – February 2024

Partners: Elbarlament, TO BE Foundation for Rights and Freedoms

Funded by: The European Union

Overview

Since 2018, The Peace Track Initiative (PTI) has documented grave human rights violations against at least 100 women human rights defenders (WHRDs) in Yemen, including kidnapping, arbitrary detention, enforced disappearance, torture, and sexual violence. Reports have also highlighted gender-based violence against migrant and refugee women and children across different areas of control.

Despite these challenges, Yemeni WHRDs have demonstrated remarkable resilience, continuing their peacebuilding and advocacy efforts in the face of escalating risks. Women leaders were among the first to call for a ceasefire to prioritize the COVID-19 response, mobilize resources for hospitals, train first responders, and raise awareness. Yemeni women have also played a critical role in peace efforts, including mediating local conflicts over land and water, negotiating the release of detainees, addressing child recruitment, facilitating humanitarian aid access, and leading ceasefire initiatives.

Yet, their contributions remain largely unrecognized and undervalued, with systemic exclusion from UN-led and political peace processes. This project was designed to address these gaps, strengthen the protection of WHRDs, enhance their access to international accountability mechanisms, and equip them with the tools needed to advocate effectively for women’s and children’s rights.

Key Achievements

  • Developed a Protection Self-Referral Guide for Yemeni WHRDs, providing critical resources to enhance their safety.

  • Provided psychosocial support and strengthened the capacity of 27 Yemeni WHRDs through a multidisciplinary human rights course.

  • Designed and delivered Training of Trainers (ToT) on Resilient Leadership, including the development of a Resilient Leadership Manual for WHRDs.

  • Offered logistical support to WHRDs to facilitate their continued advocacy efforts.

  • Awarded six advocacy grants to women-led civil society organizations working to advance women’s and children’s rights in Yemen.

  • Issued multiple protection grants to WHRDs at risk.

  • Updated PTI’s Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) on Gender-Based Violence (GBV) case management to enhance response mechanisms.

  • Delivered a GBV case management course to WHRDs actively engaged in addressing gender-based violence in their communities.

  • Facilitated WHRDs’ participation in national and international advocacy spaces, ensuring their voices were heard in key forums dedicated to human rights and accountability.

Building a Sustainable Network

One of the project’s most significant achievements was the creation of a strong and supportive network of Yemeni WHRDs, who continue to uplift and protect each other beyond the project's duration.

Publications

As part of this initiative, two key resources were developed:

📖 Protection Self-Referral Guide for Women Human Rights Defenders in Yemen and the Diaspora
📖 Resilient Leadership: A Training Manual for Women Human Rights Defenders in Yemen

Through this project, PTI remains committed to amplifying the voices of Yemeni WHRDs, ensuring their resilience, safety, and ability to advocate for a more just and inclusive future.