Women and girls continue to bear the brunt of the crisis. An estimated 80 per cent of the 4.5 million people displaced in Yemen are women and children and around one quarter of displaced households are headed by women.

Gender-based violence has become endemic in Yemen, with more than 6.3 million women and girls at heightened risk of its various forms, including harmful traditional practices such as female genital mutilation. With limited shelter options and a breakdown in formal and informal protection mechanisms, girls are increasingly vulnerable to child marriage, human trafficking, forced begging and child labour, among others. Women and girls with disabilities and marginalized groups face an even greater risk of gender-based violence, with and available services are not equipped to accommodate their needs.

Early and child marriage puts women and children at further risk of health complications, especially those who are malnourished. Going into labour when too young puts enormous strain on a girl’s body, which can lead to debilitating conditions like obstetric fistula, and even death. Child marriage also casts a long shadow on mental well-being of both women and their children. More than 30 per cent of girls in Yemen are married before the age of 18, and the highest death rates of children under five years old are among mothers who are younger than 20 (54 per 1,000 live births), which serves as another stark reminder of the consequences of early marriage.

With limited shelter options, displaced women and girls tend to suffer most from lack of privacy, threats to safety and limited access to basic services, making them ever more vulnerable to violence and abuse.  Displaced girls are more likely to lose access to schooling as families with limited resources de-prioritize their right to education.

Conflict-related loss of male breadwinners in Yemeni families adds to the economic burdens women face, especially in the case of female-headed households. The pressure is even more severe where women or girls suddenly find themselves responsible for providing for their families when they themselves have been deprived of basic education or vocational training that would equip them for the labour market. In the absence of adequate empowerment and support, women and girls readily become vulnerable to negative coping strategies such as child marriage and child labour.

Access to comprehensive gender-based violence response remains insufficient across Yemen, with  90 per cent of rural areas lacking these services. Female heads of households, women with disabilities, and those belonging to minority or migrant communities often face even greater obstacles due to compounded vulnerabilities and discrimination, further limiting their access to life-saving support and pursuing justice.

The cumulative impact of years of conflict and persistent humanitarian needs have also taken a heavy toll on the mental health of Yemenis, particularly its women and girls. An estimated 1 in 5 people suffer from mental health disorders, according to a 2017 study. However, mental healthcare remains scarce in Yemen. Mental illness is highly stigmatized, and the proportion of psychiatrists per population is insufficient.

UNFPA, through its partners, works across the country to ensure the protection of women and girls: 

Key Interventions:

• Provide medical supplies including post-rape treatment kits.
• Respond to different forms of violence through the provision of psychosocial support, legal aid, access to safe houses and referrals to health and other services.
• Engage men and boys to enhance mitigation of different forms of violence at the community level.
• Strengthen community awareness about issues related to different forms of violence, and available relevant services.
• Establish referral pathways, protocols and build capacity of service providers and responsible institutions to address challenges for the protection of women and girls.
• Provide support services and livelihood opportunities for survivors of various forms of violence.
• Lead coordination of women’s protection response through the women’s protection sub-cluster within the Protection Cluster.