Yemeni Activists Prepare for First Women’s Rights Report in 12 Years

Image created using map by NordNordWest, used under CC by-sa-3.0 de

Sisters' Arab Forum for Human Rights (SAF) will hold an online training for activists as they prepare to publish a report on the situation of women’s rights in Yemen.

More than 50 civil society organisations from across the country are due to take part in the training. 

SAF director Amal Al-Basha explains that the workshop aims to build the capacities of Yemeni NGOs - especially those working in human rights - in how to use international mechanisms to protect women's rights. 

The training has particular importance as it will a shadow report for the Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW). This would be true first shadow CEDAW report on Yemen to be accomplished in nearly 12 years. Yemeni NGOs have not issued any shadow reports since 2008 due to instability and the ongoing conflict and its devastating impact. Al-Basha stressed that the war should not deter us from issuing such reports, especially given that women have experienced violence and setbacks in  human rights as a direct result of the conflict.   

The training will include extensive information about the United Nations and its main organs, international human rights agreements and covenants, mechanisms for monitoring and follow-up on the level of commitment to implement those agreements. It will provide participants with detailed information on CEDAW, its content, mechanisms and the General Recommendations of the CEDAW Committee as well as the Optional Protocol. 

Participants will receive training on the methodology for preparing a shadow report, prepare and present it during the review of the national report scheduled in October this year.

Karama is proud to support SAF in leading this essential work.