Political Participation and Peacebuilding on the Agenda of a Roundtable for Women Leaders in Political Parties and Entities in Yemen

[Press release]

A roundtable for women leaders in political parties and political entities has commenced in the city of Aden. The roundtable is organized by UN Women Yemen, in partnership with the My Right Foundation for Women’s Political Empowerment, under the theme “Political Participation and Peacebuilding,” with the participation of women political leaders from various parties and components across Yemen’s political landscape.

The three-day roundtable focuses on discussing the institutional status of women within parties and political entities, and on reviewing the challenges faced by women politicians and party members, including issues related to communication and coordination, institutional and bureaucratic barriers, as well as broader challenges associated with political and party work in the country.

UN Women’s Representative in Yemen, Dina Zorba, stated that women party leaders have an important role in supporting women’s access through parties and political components responsible for nominating candidates for senior positions, and in contributing to the political process and peacebuilding.

She added that it is essential to examine the institutional situation of women in political entities, understand the party and structural challenges they face, and develop recommendations that help improve women’s position within parties, thereby enhancing their access to decision-making, stemming from their national and party responsibilities.

For her part, Ms. Intisar Al-Hadali, President of the My Right Foundation for Women’s Political Empowerment, said that the roundtable aims to create a women-led political dialogue and promote women’s meaningful participation in shaping the country’s future and development.

The sessions include analytical presentations and group discussions to formulate practical solutions that can be pursued in the short term, and to strengthen coordination mechanisms between women in parties and senior leadership to ensure more effective political participation. Working groups will also provide recommendations on improving women’s institutional role within party structures and enhancing their capacity in decision-making positions.

Participants are also examining political responsibility toward women within parties and components, presenting a brief overview of women’s political agenda, and discussing the role of parties in empowering women across their various structures, as well as identifying mechanisms to ensure women’s voices and priorities are reflected in decision-making pathways.

The event is expected to conclude with a set of practical recommendations that will support women’s participation in the political process and strengthen their role in peacebuilding efforts.