Fighting for Gender Equality in Yemen

Women in Yemen are discriminated against under Sharia law and other traditional customs and practices in Yemen in the social, political, and economic spheres. Those affected most by discrimination are members of the “Akhdam” minority.

The Akhdam (which means “servants” in Arabic) are Arabic-speaking Muslims that do not belong to any of the three main Arab tribes that make up traditional Yemeni society, and face discrimination due to their darker skin color. As a result, they suffer social and economic discrimination, which makes it very difficult for them to escape the cycle of poverty, violence, and intolerance that characterize their lives.

Akhdam women are thus subject to what our partner, Sisters Arab Forum, refers to as “doubled violence,” since they are not only women but also minorities and thus subject to violence and marginalization on both counts. According to official estimates, the total number of Akhdam countrywide is approximately 500,000, some 100,000 of which live in the outskirts of the capital Sana’a.

SAF advocates for and defends women’s rights through efforts to change discriminatory laws, policies and attitudes that hinder these women. Following an initial training in early summer 2008, SAF is producing a video to use – in alliance with other allies and networks - to lobby the Yemeni parliament to adopt a law to prevent and end such discrimination and marginalization and raise awareness on the issue of the Akhdam. An edit took place in Yemen in May 2009, and the video was completed in July 2009.