International Women's Day: Yemeni Women Transform their Futures

Umm Ammar, 32 years old

Umm Ammar is a mother of five, from Al-Mahat village in Lahj Governorate, who faced severe economic hardships due to the ongoing conflict in Yemen. She stated "the hardest challenge I faced was our dire economic situation. I couldn't afford to send some of my children to school, and the medical expenses became overwhelming whenever one of them fell ill. All of these difficulties were significant obstacles for me.” 

Through small business grant and training initiatives led by the Danish Refugee Council (DRC), with funding from the Danish International Development Agency (Danida), Umm Ammar found a lifeline to achieve one of her long-held dreams, making and selling pastries. This grant enabled Umm Ammar to purchase pastry-making materials, a cake mixer, a refrigerator, a battery, and a solar power setup, which were all the required materials to start her business 

She shared that "the pastry project has fulfilled a dream that I have always wanted to come true. This made me realize that we should not give up on our dreams easily. Currently, I have a source of income, which has improved our living standards, and even our mood at home has improved". 

Through her business, Umm Ammar has also been able to provide sweets and cakes to her community, which were not previously readily available, and she shared that "my project has made it easier for the community to get what they want. I have become the most available points of sale in stores, and I deliver orders to homes.” 

Umm Ammar’s journey shows how perseverance can lead to positive change. By continuing to pursue her dreams, she inspires other women to keep moving forward and create opportunities for themselves. Her advice to the women in her community is to: "Keep pursuing your dreams, even when you face difficulties at first. In the end, you will succeed.” 

Laila Abdullah, 31 years old

Many women in Yemen have stepped into the role of primary breadwinners for their families, navigating societal expectations and overcoming barriers. Despite these challenges, they continue to show resilience and defy adversity. One of those women is Laila who works as a teacher at one of the schools in Al-Fayoush village, Lahj Governorate.

Laila is the sole breadwinner for her family of twelve, after her elderly father was injured in a car accident and was unable to work again. To meet the needs of her family and to cover her father’s medical expenses, Laila was looking for an additional source of income. She chose the profession of sewing Ma’awaz [a traditional Yemeni robe for men], a craft she has mastered and found her passion in. She stated “I became the sole breadwinner. The biggest challenge before receiving DRC’s assistance was the difficulty of providing school supplies for my brothers, in addition to my father’s ongoing treatments.” 

When Laila received a small grant to start her small business from DRC with funding from Danida, along with training on business development and management, she was overwhelmed with joy, knowing that this opportunity would help turn her dream into reality. With the grant she purchased a battery for solar power, a sewing machine, and essential materials to kickstart her business. With the income from her business, Laila was able to cover her father’s medical expenses while also providing funding for her siblings’ education. 

Laila realized that she had become an entrepreneur when she saw the growing demand for her products. The support and encouragement Laila received from the community was the fuel that pushed her forward. "When the interest from the community in my Ma’awaz’s grew and I started distributing it to shops, I felt like my dream had finally come true," says Laila. 

Laila's ambitions did not stop there; she continues to work towards expanding her business and ensuring its growth and sustainability. 

Laila’s journey is a testament to hope and determination. Her message to women is clear and she shared “Do not despair of what you want to achieve; seek out the support to help turn your goals into reality” 

Safaa Salem, 41 years old 

Safaa is a mother of eight children, from Bir Amer area in ​​Lahj Governorate. Following her husband’s illness three years ago, his salary of 30 Yemeni riyals [around 13 USD] was not sufficient to cover even the cost of his medicines. Safaa had no choice but to work on farms and raise livestock to earn meager amounts that barely covered their basic needs, in addition to her husband’s expensive treatments. She shared “It was a difficult life, but I did not give up”. 

When the opportunity to start a small business came along from DRC, with funding from Danida, Safaa saw a glimmer of hope. She decided to reopen the store that her husband had previously managed. This time, with a new and more diverse look, and equipped with knowledge on budgeting, business management and cash management, following the training provided by DRC. “I did not just sell groceries, but I also added children’s clothes and accessories. I wanted to make the store a place that meets everyone’s needs in the village,” Safaa explains.  

Safaa’s greatest motivation was her love for her children and her desire to provide them with a decent life. Although it is uncommon in Yemen for a woman to run a grocery store, Safaa was determined. “I was looking for any way to help us in this difficult situation. I chose to reopen the grocery store because it is the only one in the village, and I also wanted to help the villagers access their needs easily,” Safaa says. 

For Safaa, the store has become a lifeline to provide for her family, paying off her debt, and helping to fulfill her daughter’s dream of entering medical school.   

Despite adversity and limited opportunities, Umm Ammar, Laila, and Safaa are showing remarkable resilience and determination in the face of immense hardships. Their perseverance has enabled them to overcome challenges and build better futures for themselves and their families. Their journeys not only reflect their personal strength but also serve as an inspiration for others to keep pushing forward, proving that with perseverance and support, a better future is always within reach. 

Their stories further highlight the transformative impact of investing in women, reinforcing the need for continued support to empower more women to overcome challenges and create lasting change in their communities.