Marib, Yemen – On December 16, 2024, the local strategy for women in Marib Governorate was officially launched during a conference themed "Towards a Strong Local Strategy to Enhance Women's Role in Marib." The event gathered 97 participants, including representatives from local authorities, political parties, and women's and community leaders, as part of the project "Enhancing the Role of Women and Civil Society in the Political Process and Peacebuilding in Yemen," implemented by the National Democratic Institute (NDI) under the auspices of local governance.

During the opening of the conference, Marib Deputy Governor Dr. Abdu Rabbu Miftah hailed the event as a significant achievement for both the province and women. He praised all entities involved in organizing and supporting the conference, emphasizing the commitment of local leadership to incorporate the conference's outcomes into strategic planning.

Dr. Miftah highlighted the resilience of women in Marib over the past 11 years of war and displacement, noting their vital role in facing challenges and defending their homeland. He asserted that women will be essential partners in developing and implementing strategic plans for the governorate.

Intisar Al-Qadi, a representative of the National Democratic Institute in Marib, explained that the strategy aims to enhance women’s roles and expand their political participation, ensuring their access to decision-making positions. She indicated that the strategy was developed after a thorough analysis of the needs of women in Marib and seeks to guide organizational interventions toward priority sectors for women.

Al-Qadi outlined the components of the strategy, its vision, strategic objectives, methodological framework, and the historical context of women's empowerment, urging discussion to ensure its inclusivity. She highlighted key recommendations within the strategy, including improving educational opportunities for girls, enhancing primary and reproductive healthcare services for women, and facilitating economic empowerment initiatives to promote women's entrepreneurship.

Furthermore, Al-Qadi called for strengthening women’s roles in community and political development by activating legislation that guarantees women’s rights and increasing their participation in the judiciary, law enforcement, and security sectors, alongside supporting research related to women's issues.

In their remarks, Saida Aqar, head of the National Women’s Committee branch in Marib, and Dr. Amal Dahwan, deputy director of the health office in the governorate, underscored the importance of this strategy as a framework for advancing the status of women in Marib. They asserted that the strategy would foster an environment that empowers women, enhances their participation, promotes education and employment opportunities, and supports gender equality across various fields.