In the corners of Al-Ma’afir and Al-Shamaytin in Taiz Governorate, Yemen, the history of life intertwines with difficulties and hopes, where women face the greatest challenges. Due to the ongoing conflicts and changes in social dynamics, they found themselves amidst difficult life circumstances. The reality is characterized by a severe lack of educational opportunities, with significant obstacles hindering their path to economic opportunities, exposing them to daily violence and discrimination. These tough conditions have a significant impact on their daily lives and future aspirations.
Turning Challenges into Tangible Opportunities
Through their active engagement in the Women’s Empowerment project, aimed at empowering women to participate in peacebuilding and enhancing social cohesion, as well as promoting gender equality and human rights, these women have demonstrated exceptional ability to turn challenges into tangible opportunities. They did not settle for merely discussing problems but used each experience to enhance their capacities and acquire the necessary skills to overcome difficulties.
The journey began with the activation of self-development, where they worked on enhancing their skills and understanding social interaction mechanisms. The initiative, funded by Oxfam and implemented by the Sheba Youth Foundation team, was the key that opened doors for them to positive change.
They achieved this remarkable transformation by directing their energies towards achieving effective impact, becoming drivers of change in their communities. They provided vivid examples of how to turn their challenges into unique opportunities and how they became capable of achieving the positive change they had long dreamed of.
Participation in focused discussions with local authorities and forum dialogues was a crucial stage in this journey, highlighting their leadership abilities and effective communication. By making the most of these events, these women were able to craft strong and innovative visions for the future.
Overcoming Challenges and Achieving Positive Change
The women formed the “Rural Women for Peacebuilding Forum,” which turned into an effective axis of change in their lives and surroundings. These women had to overcome cultural and social challenges to create safe spaces where they could speak about their experiences and effectively address challenges.
The forum consisted of 32 women and girls, representing various backgrounds and ages, and these spaces were of particular importance as they allowed women to share their experiences, challenges, and aspirations. After forming the forum, members designed unique logos for each forum, reflecting their identity and vision.
The women organized small community events, such as organizing bazaars for women who own small businesses, enabling them to showcase their products and engage with the local community. They also invited women from other villages to participate and advance their businesses, encouraging them to participate in local decision-making and contribute to community activities.
These women demonstrated remarkable leadership skills during the organization of focused discussion sessions, transferring these simple experiences in session management to positive motivation among participants. Through this process, these women gained more confidence and appreciation for themselves, learning new skills and knowledge they could use in their personal and professional lives.
Positivity and Change
Through the Women and Peace project, funded by Oxfam and implemented by the Sheba Youth Foundation, rural women in Taiz managed to turn their suffering into a driving force for change and construction. We witnessed a positive transformation in their lives and a powerful impact extending to their communities. This story reflects the capacity of effective partnerships between donors and implementers to achieve tangible results, embodying hope for building a better and brighter future for women and girls in Taiz Governorate.
