CEPPS Yemen Gender Assessment

Systemic discrimination and oppression limit their access to essential resources and services. The ongoing conflict and deteriorating living conditions have left them vulnerable to the devastating effects of war, including displacement, poverty, and hunger. Yemen is one of the most challenging countries in the world for gender equality, according to UN Women. Women in Yemen are subject to rigid gender roles that limit their opportunities and choices. They are also subject to harmful stereotypes that perpetuate their image as weak or ignorant. Yemeni women suffer from legal and social discrimination, lack many rights guaranteed by international human rights standards, and face increasing marginalization by local warring parties. They also face high levels of violence and abuse, including child marriage, domestic violence, sexual violence, and honor killings. Women face significant structural and attitudinal barriers to political equality. Yemeni society operates under deeply entrenched patriarchal norms that produce several forms of violence and discrimination against women. These attitudes are also reflected in laws and discriminatory practices that restrict women's participation in politics. Although Yemeni women were promised representation in political and decision-making positions through enforcing a 30% quota during the 2013-2014 National Dialogue Conference, these promises have yet to be fulfilled, and women are not meaningfully represented in the government. The Houthi de facto authorities in the North have severely restricted women's activity and access in all areas of life, including the ability to travel to work, school, or attend civil society activities. Yemen's government is only paying lip service to the process of appointing women to policymaking positions, underscoring the lack of political will to appoint more women to policymaking positions. Women leaders are often included in advisory or complementary roles when needed, but there are no opportunities for them to play active formal roles where they can shape decisions and policies. Despite these challenges, Yemeni women have shown tremendous courage and resilience in defending their rights, empowering themselves and others, and contributing to peacebuilding. Women civil society leaders have received support from various local and international actors, but more resources and commitment are needed to address the urgent needs and challenges facing women in Yemen. The armed conflict and humanitarian crisis have exacerbated the plight of Yemeni women, leaving them particularly vulnerable to displacement, poverty, and hunger. The CEPPS technical approach to inclusion requires thinking about partners, processes, and products and asking key questions about who is included and excluded, what barriers exist, and how to eliminate or mitigate barriers and increase access, participation, and representation. This approach aims to ensure that an inclusion perspective is fully integrated throughout the program lifecycle, beginning with gender and baseline assessments. The CEPPS approach focuses on increasing access and inclusivity in products, activities, and deliverables, and on eliminating or mitigating barriers that exclude or limit access for different groups or individuals.