Courage in Crisis: How Yemeni women are reshaping society and peacebuilding

As an activist and researcher from Yemen, Olla Al-Sakkaf shared her insights on the challenges and opportunities facing women peacebuilders in the country. In this conversation, she reflects on the evolving role of women in Yemen’s peace efforts, the relatively new presence of civil society, and the importance of peacebuilding networks in fostering greater unity among organisations. She also speaks about her personal journey—how the lack of spaces for young women in peacebuilding led her to create her own organisation, providing a platform to lead change.

What is it like to be a woman peacebuilder in Yemen today? What challenges do you face in promoting peace and security, and what keeps you going despite them?

There are many challenges. It is incredibly difficult to be an activist and a peacebuilder in Yemen, especially right now. The priorities of the people, the government, and even the international community are constantly shifting.

We are advocating for peace between conflicting parties, transitional justice, rights, and inclusivity. But today, these are not the priorities of the people, the government, or even the international community. Right now, people in Yemen are simply trying to survive—they are looking for food, struggling to get their salaries, and hoping for access to basic public services. When you talk about inclusivity and rights, no one really listens. But I believe these issues are crucial—not just for a better future but to prevent the situation from worsening. Unfortunately, people don’t always see it that way; they are just focused on how to make it through each day.

Being a peacebuilder in Yemen is incredibly challenging, especially as a woman. Society does not accept women as peacebuilders. Many believe this is not our role—that we were born to stay in the kitchen, to remain at home. They don’t recognise the capacities of women, and that is a big mistake. Women are not just caretakers; we are part of our communities, fighting for rights and for a better future.

On top of that, security risks make our work even more dangerous. Many of my colleagues have been arrested; some have disappeared, and we have no idea what happened to them. They were working on human rights, but the government sees them as enemies—people working against them, rather than for the good of society, the community, and even the
government itself. The security situation is so fragile that I know I could be arrested at any time.

Despite this, we keep going because we believe in what we are doing. I believe in this work—not just for myself, but for the future of my country and the next generation. We need to create a better future for our children. The situation keeps getting worse, but what we do today might help make things better in the future.

How are women peacebuilders working to create a more peaceful future for Yemen?

We are still learning, experimenting, and trying different approaches. Women are leading civil society organisations and coalitions, all trying to make an impact. In Yemen, civil society itself is still relatively new. We only started actively engaging in civil society after the 2011 revolution. Before that, there was no real civil society space in Yemen. Since then, we
have faced many challenges, especially during the war, and we are still figuring out how to create meaningful change and address the issues within civil society itself.
 

Despite these challenges, many women are leading important initiatives. One example is the initiative I founded, Peace Environment for Development, a civil society organisation I started because I needed a space as a young woman. I believe many young women in Yemen need that space, too. While there are organisations working for youth, they are often led by older generations, leaving young people in roles where they only implement decisions rather than make them. I understood how crucial it was to have a space where young people could take the lead, so I created one.

In a country deeply affected by conflict, what opportunities exist for women to play a meaningful role in peace processes?

Although the situation is incredibly difficult, it has also created unexpected opportunities for women. Just 10 to 15 years ago, very few women were involved in civil society in Yemen. However, due to the war, economic hardships, and growing needs, families have become more accepting of women stepping into leadership roles. As a result, we have seen remarkable women emerging as leaders, making real impacts in their communities. This shift is gradually changing societal perceptions of women’s roles. We are actively transforming the cultural norms in Yemen regarding women’s participation in public life. In many ways, the war itself created an opportunity for women to lead initiatives and contribute to solutions. In a stable situation, these opportunities might not have existed in the same way.

With trust in multilateral and regional responses to crisis eroding, what practical steps can networks such as GPPAC or MENAPPAC take to reinforce, complement, and enhance peace efforts on the ground?

One of the most important steps is fostering greater unity among civil society and activists. Initially, peacebuilders worked individually and then formed civil society organisations and initiatives. 

However, over time, competition and divisions have emerged, weakening the collective impact. Networks like MENAPAC and GPPAC play a crucial role in raising awareness among activists and women on how to work more effectively together. They can help peacebuilders understand their roles more clearly—not as governments responsible for state-building, nor as international organisations that simply assess and judge, but as key actors working from within society for the benefit of society. Strengthening collaboration and collective action among local peacebuilders is essential to achieving lasting impact.