Ms. Maha Awadh, head of Wogod for Human Security
Ambassadors, excellencies and colleagues,
Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen

I am delighted to address you at the opening session of the Feminist Summit, held for the seventh year in an atmosphere of determination and commitment to contributing to achieving a comprehensive and just peace for Yemeni women and men.

This summit is made possible for the seventh consecutive year thanks to Wogood for Human Security leadership , which should be seen as a steadfast commitment to supporting Yemeni women in their national struggle for peace, equality, and development. Here, I would like to acknowledge and thank each one of the participants for making it to this event against all the odds experienced by each of you, for your determination and resolute commitment to your noble cause in making women’s equality your mission.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

You have repeatedly heard the Special Envoy emphasize that his mediation efforts are fundamentally aimed at launching an inclusive political process under the auspices of the United Nations. Through this process, Yemeni women and men can sit at the negotiating table to reach a comprehensive settlement to the conflict and achieve a just and lasting peace.

You will agree that to achieve lasting peace, it is essential for all segments of society, especially underrepresented groups like women, to have a voice in shaping Yemen’s political future. A fair and sustainable peace settlement is only possible if it is inclusive and built on diverse perspectives and voices from all segments of Yemeni society.

In this context, initiatives like the bottom-up consultation series we are conducting in partnership with the UN Women’s Office, titled “A Vision for Inclusive Peace from the Grassroots,” play a crucial role in elevating women’s voices. These consultations, held in Amman, Cairo, Aden, and Hadramout, have so far brought together hundreds of Yemeni women and men, including youth, tribal leaders, local mediators, human rights defenders, and marginalized groups. Preparations are underway for more bottom up consultations to enhance a grassroots vision for an inclusive peace process in Yemen.

These discussions have emphasized the need for inclusive participation from all segments of Yemeni society and the importance of amplifying women’s voices, ensuring their full, effective, and safe participation.

Last month, our office celebrated the 24th anniversary of the Women, Peace, and Security Agenda, by releasing a number of videos highlighting inspiring stories of Yemeni women whose resilience plays a critical role in promoting peace and security in their communities.

Given the valuable efforts Yemeni women have made and continue to make today, we reaffirm the Madrid Declaration's call on all Yemeni authorities and parties, supported by our international partners, to commit to increasing women’s participation at all stages of peacebuilding, in line with Security Council Resolution 1325.

Integrating women is key to achieving peace, but not any peace, but rather a lasting and inclusive peace, as their active participation aligns with the principles of human rights and equality. However, opportunities for women have significantly diminished, and they face substantial challenges in leadership and decision-making roles, negatively affecting their lives. This situation calls for urgent action to empower women in humanitarian, political, economic, and security fields.

Unified efforts are essential to support Yemeni women and achieve the goals of Security Council Resolution 1325 and the 2020–2023 National Action Plan. Let us work together to build a just and inclusive peace that restores hope for all Yemenis, including women and girls, who deserve dignified lives.

In conclusion, I would like to express my deep appreciation for the tireless efforts you all make daily to work towards a just and sustainable peace, even in the face of immense challenges. I assure you once again that our office is committed to meaningful partnership with all stakeholders. Together, through dialogue, cooperation, and open collaboration, we can make a profound contribution to empowering Yemeni women, youth, and community leaders and strengthening their fundamental role in shaping the country’s future.