Barran Press
Marib, Yemen – On Tuesday, November 26, 2024, the local authority in Marib province, northeastern Yemen, launched a 16-day campaign to combat violence against women, coinciding with the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, observed on November 25 each year.
The campaign is being implemented by the Humanitarian Access Association's Livelihood Services Project for the most vulnerable women and girls in Yemen, with funding from the United Nations Population Fund.
During the launch ceremony, Deputy Governor Ali Al-Fatimi criticized the international community's silence regarding the violations faced by Yemeni women at the hands of the Houthi militia, which is internationally recognized as a terrorist group. He highlighted the deprivation of women's civil, political, economic, and life rights guaranteed by religious, national, and international laws, as well as the Yemeni constitution.
Al-Fatimi noted that Yemeni women had achieved many rights since the 26th of September Revolution in 1962, but the 2014 Houthi coup marked what he termed the "worst setback" for women's rights, leading to severe violations and the erosion of their natural and legal rights amid widespread international inaction.
He praised the awareness campaign aimed at combating gender-based violence, stating it sheds light on the violations against women and their rights, reminding the international community of its responsibilities and local society of its obligations.
The deputy governor emphasized the local authority's commitment to women's rights, highlighting efforts to enhance their roles across various sectors through supportive programs and policies aimed at empowering women socially, economically, and administratively.
Both the Director General of Women’s Development at the governorate's office, Fenda Al-Amari, and the Executive Director of the Humanitarian Access Association's Marib branch, Salem Saeed, explained that the 16-day campaign is part of a global initiative launched by the United Nations to advocate for women's and girls' issues until December 10.
They stressed that the campaign aims to raise awareness of the rights of women and girls, as enshrined in religious doctrines and regulated by national and international laws, as a means to empower women and enhance their roles in building their futures and communities. They underscored that building women's capacities and creating a supportive environment for their contributions in all fields is essential for achieving their rights.
The 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence is a global campaign running from the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women on November 25 to Human Rights Day on December 10, aimed at increasing awareness and advocating for change to combat violence in all its forms.