Abductees’ Mothers Association in Taiz, in collaboration with the Center for Strategic Studies to Support Women and Children and with funding from Saferworld, hosted an artistic event titled “Her Voice is Stronger” on Thursday evening. This initiative coincided with the global 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence campaign, aiming to promote awareness of women’s rights and their role in society.
The event was attended by female leaders, representatives from local authorities, human rights activists, and members of the media. The program featured a range of artistic and educational activities, including theatrical performances, songs, expressive artwork, and a special presentation of “Mulala”.
Ms. Asma’a Al-Raie, director of the Abductees’ Mothers Association in Taiz, delivered a speech outlining the organization’s mission to foster legal awareness, uphold the rule of law, and promote sustainable peace. She emphasized the association’s efforts to reintegrate survivors into society, rehabilitate them, and empower women to take active roles in development and peacebuilding.
Ms. Al-Raie highlighted the association’s contributions to local mediation efforts for the release of detained women and abductees, as well as its success in bringing victims’ cases to international attention. She noted the team’s growing expertise in legal advocacy and community engagement through continuous capacity building. Additionally, she underscored the importance of empowering women through training programs and collaborations with active organizations in Yemen, alongside building strategic alliances to advance women’s rights.
She concluded her remarks with the association’s enduring motto: “Peace begins in the hearts of mothers. My son freedom first.”
Dr. Angela Al-Maamari, Assistant Professor of Mental Health and Gender Consultant, also addressed the audience. She spoke about the recurring crises in Yemen, including armed conflict, humanitarian emergencies, and poverty, and their profound effects on women. These challenges, she explained, have led to increased domestic violence, early marriage, and gender-based discrimination in education and employment.
Dr. Al-Maamari stressed the urgent need to raise awareness of women’s rights and to challenge harmful societal norms. She called for a collective societal effort, emphasizing the role of awareness campaigns and community engagement in advancing equality and empowerment. By adopting such strategies, she said, tangible progress can be made toward creating a more just and stable society.
The event aimed to raise community awareness about the importance of protecting women from violence and highlighted their essential role in peacebuilding and development. It also sought to shed light on the plight of abductees and strengthen both local and international efforts to achieve justice and sustainable peace in Yemen.
