Marib, Yemen – “I will not allow despair. I will overcome all difficulties,” tells Nabila with confidence.

Nabila a mother to two daughters was verbally abused by her in-laws since the start of her marriage, which took a serious toll on her mental health.

“They abused me verbally every single day. I was depressed and constantly in tears,” tells Nabila.

In search of a quieter life away from the in-laws, Nabila’s husband decided to move to another district.

Soon the war broke out and Nabila’s husband was injured during hostilities close to her home, leaving him paralyzed.

Nabila now became the breadwinner for the family.  

Frustrated by his inability to walk or work, Nabila’s husband became short-tempered. Again Nabila found herself being abused verbally, this time by her husband.

As the conflict escalated, Nabila and her family were displaced to Marib Governorate.

In Marib, living in a camp for displaced persons, Nabila was determined to search for help to restore her mental health as well as acquire a professional skill to support her family.

Nabila attended an awareness raising sessions on women’s protection at the camp run by UNFPA with support from KSrelief.

Nabila followed the advice given to her during the awareness session and visited the safe space to seek further help.

At the safe space, Nabila was provided with psychosocial support and enrolled in a hairdressing course, soon she began to feel more hopeful and even support her husband to seek treatment.  

Nabila excelled in hairdressing and was motivated to start her own hairdressing salon in her tent.

“Today I have my own business thanks to the safe space that has restored the colors of happiness in my life and the lives of many other women,” tells a joyful Nabila.  

With the generous support of KSrelief, 12 women and girls safe spaces in south of Yemen are helping women to overcome despair and rebuild their lives.