Escalating Suffering and Grave Violations: SAM Organization Calls for Protection of Yemeni Women’s Rights on International Women’s Day

Geneva - On the occasion of International Women’s Day, the SAM Organization for Rights and Liberties stated in a press release that the suffering of women in Yemen has reached unprecedented levels due to the ongoing war, economic collapse, and social breakdown. Women and girls have become the most affected group by the conflict, facing severe violations that impact all aspects of their daily lives. The organization highlighted that Yemeni women endure a harsh reality, including gender-based violence, arbitrary detention, political marginalization, and economic exploitation, amid a lack of effective measures to protect or empower them to access justice and basic rights.

The organization noted that women constitute approximately 80% of the total 4.5 million displaced persons in Yemen, with women heading a quarter of displaced households, increasing their vulnerability to exploitation, forced marriage, and sexual violence. According to international reports, more than 6.3 million women and girls in Yemen are in urgent need of protection services against gender-based violence, yet most lack sufficient support due to the disintegration of the legal and social systems.

SAM emphasized that the absence of legal protection mechanisms and accountability for perpetrators has fueled widespread impunity, making violence against women a common occurrence in Yemeni society. Women who experience violence rarely receive the necessary legal or psychological support and face the risk of social stigma or retaliation if they file complaints against their abusers. The organization pointed out that human rights reports from Amnesty International indicate that prevailing customs and traditions continue to play a significant role in silencing women’s voices and forcing them to endure violence without real protection.

The statement also shed light on the issue of arbitrary detentions targeting women, particularly in areas controlled by the Houthi group. Reports documented by SAM reveal that authorities have detained hundreds of women in secret prisons without legal procedures, subjecting them to torture, mistreatment, and sexual assault, as well as forcing some to confess under duress. The organization explained that these violations occur with the complicity of security forces and the indifference of the international community, exacerbating the suffering of detainees and their families.

In June 2024, the Houthi group arrested Rubab al-Madhawi, head of the information department at the American National Democratic Institute (NDI), along with her husband, as part of a campaign targeting UN employees and civil society members in Sana’a, without providing clear legal justification. Despite repeated appeals from her family and human rights organizations, she has been denied contact with her family or access to her legal rights. On February 18, 2025, Rubab’s mother passed away in Amman, Jordan, after her health deteriorated following her daughter’s detention for over eight months without trial or formal charges. Human rights sources confirmed that Rubab’s mother suffered a sudden health crisis after her daughter’s arrest, and her condition rapidly worsened until her death was announced on Monday, February 18, in Amman. Rubab was not allowed to attend her mother’s funeral or bid her farewell, constituting an additional violation of the rights of detainees and their families.

On December 5, 2023, the Specialized Criminal Court in Sana’a, under Houthi control, sentenced human rights activist Fatima al-Arwali to death on charges of “aiding an enemy state” (the United Arab Emirates) following a trial lacking basic legal safeguards. The politically motivated charges against al-Arwali were issued without a fair trial. During her detention, she was deprived of her fundamental rights, including legal representation and contact with her family. Lawyer Abdul Majeed Sabra reported that the charges were based on vague assumptions and formulations without concrete evidence, noting that the Houthi group uses the judiciary to legitimize its pursuit of activists, journalists, and human rights defenders.

On September 24, 2022, authorities in Marib arrested health activist Yusra Mohammed Shater, 38, while she was working on a COVID-19 vaccination campaign in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO). She was detained from the Al-Ustoura Hotel in Marib despite her official assignment. Since her arrest, Shater has faced restrictions and been denied visits, with her basic needs—particularly those related to her status as a woman—not being met.

The SAM Organization stated that reports have documented widespread violations by all parties to the conflict in Yemen against women’s freedom of movement. Since 2022, the Houthi group has imposed strict restrictions known as the “guardian system,” requiring women to obtain permission from a male guardian before traveling within or outside the country. This measure has deprived thousands of women of work, education, and medical treatment opportunities, deepening their economic and social crisis.

SAM called on all Yemeni parties and the international community to take immediate and serious steps to protect women from all forms of violence and violations. It stressed the need to abolish restrictions on women’s freedom, enhance their participation in political and economic life, ensure survivors of violence have access to justice, and impose strict measures against perpetrators. The organization also demanded increased support for humanitarian and rights programs providing protection, legal aid, and psychological support to women across Yemen.

The organization concluded that advancing women’s rights in Yemen is not merely a humanitarian issue but a prerequisite for achieving peace and stability in the country. Empowering and protecting women is a collective responsibility requiring genuine action from the government, the international community, and human rights organizations to ensure a more just and secure future for all Yemeni women and girls.