Finding Space for Yemen’s Voice: Reflections on Women, Peace and Climate Justice After One Young World 2025

Travel from a country in conflict is never simple, and the high cost, limited routes, and complicated visa procedures often make participation impossible. Because of that, many organizations hesitate to support delegates coming directly from Yemen.

Therefore, instead of celebrating, I found myself writing a detailed explanation in response—trying to describe barriers that many people around the world have never had to imagine. Yemen is often spoken about in headlines, but the everyday realities of movement, access, and participation remain largely invisible.

This tension—between being invited and being unable to reach the world—captures something deeper about Yemen’s long conflict. The war has touched every corner of life. It has weakened institutions, limited opportunities, and narrowed the spaces where Yemenis can speak for themselves. Our international presence has shrunk. Our stories often reach global platforms through others, not through us.

That is why being present at the Summit felt meaningful in a way that went beyond simply attending an event. Being there as someone who still lives inside Yemen allowed me to share what daily life really looks like, and to listen to others who face similar struggles in their own contexts. It reminded me that solidarity is not an abstract value—it becomes real when people meet, hear each other, and recognize shared challenges despite distance.

Women, Peace, and Representation in Yemen

Women in Yemen carry multiple burdens—not just because of the conflict, but also because of deep-rooted social norms, economic inequality, and long-standing political marginalization. The result is a layered kind of silence around women’s lives. Their political participation is limited, their social presence is often restricted, and their voices rarely reach national or international discussions.

And when we talk about “Yemeni women,” we must also recognize who is most often left out. A large portion of Yemen’s population lives in rural areas—villages scattered across mountains, deserts, and far-reaching plains. Women in these areas, especially those from low-income and marginalized communities, represent the majority of the country. Yet their stories almost never appear in global reports or discussions.

The few women who are visible internationally often come from more privileged backgrounds or from the diaspora. Their work is important, but it reflects only a small fraction of Yemeni reality. Without hearing directly from women inside the country, the world risks missing the full picture—and missing the urgency of their needs.

The Gendered Impact of Climate Change in Yemen

War and economic collapse have pushed Yemeni women into heavier roles within their households and communities. Many have become the main providers for their families. Climate change has intensified this burden.

Yemen is a largely rural country, with two-thirds of the population depending on agriculture and fishing—sectors now severely affected by rising temperatures, unpredictable rainfall, and the spread of drought. Along a coastline stretching more than 2,000 kilometers, fishing communities struggle with declining catches and dangerous weather patterns. Inland, farms that sustained families for generations are drying out.

When the land becomes harsh, the impact on women and girls becomes immediate.
Thousands of girls have left school because they now walk long distances every day to collect water. Hundreds of thousands of young men have also dropped out of school, forced by economic pressure to migrate or to join the fighting. Climate change is not a distant environmental issue—it shapes education, mobility, health, and the entire social fabric.

These realities need to be understood as part of Yemen’s peace and justice landscape. You cannot talk about peace without talking about climate, and you cannot talk about climate without listening to women.

Insights From One Young World 2025

Being in a space with more than 2,000 people from around the world was energizing. It reminded me that Yemen is not alone in its struggles—many communities face displacement, inequality, political violence, and climate disasters. The difference lies mainly in visibility. Some stories reach the world with full volume; others barely echo beyond their borders.

Conversations at the Summit helped me share Yemen’s reality with people who had never heard it directly from someone living inside the country. Many were surprised by how little information they had access to, or how different the lived experience is from what they had assumed. I also learned about countries where daily challenges mirror ours, and I saw how communities build resilience in contexts that, like Yemen, are often overlooked.

A Personal Moment of Connection

What stayed with me most from the Summit was not a single session or speaker—it was the feeling that I belonged in that global space. That my voice could be heard. That my experience mattered. People from conflict zones often feel a sense of distance from the rest of the world, as if we exist on the margins of global conversations. Being there closed that gap a little. It made me believe more deeply that sharing our stories is part of healing—and part of justice.

Recommendations

1. Increase the participation of women and youth from inside conflict-affected countries in global platforms—not only the diaspora.
2. Simplify visa and travel procedures for individuals from conflict zones to enable fair access to international opportunities.
3. Create ongoing channels for youth connection, such as online platforms that allow young people from different contexts to share knowledge, experiences, and solutions.

Conclusion

Yemen’s challenges are complex, but its people—especially its women—carry extraordinary strength. My experience at One Young World reminded me that even small opportunities to speak can build bridges between isolated realities and the wider world. We may come from places facing conflict, crisis, and climate pressure, but our voices carry knowledge, resilience, and hope.

Written by

Olla Alsakkaf is a Yemeni researcher and activist from Taiz, working at the intersection of peacebuilding, women’s rights, and climate justice. She is the founder of Peace Environment for Development, a women-led nonprofit advancing environmental awareness and peace in Yemen. Olla has authored policy papers on youth participation, gender equality, and climate resilience in conflict-affected contexts. Currently pursuing a master’s in economics, she represents Yemeni civil society in regional and international forums and advocates for women’s leadership in peace processes.