26 April 2024
From 23–26 April 2024, the Office of the UN Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for Yemen (OSESGY), in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Spain, co-hosted the Madrid Forum on Women, Peace, and Security (WPS). The forum brought together 38 Yemeni women leaders, alongside regional and international WPS experts, to craft a path “From the Status Quo to a Transformation.” The event aligned with the 25th anniversary of Security Council Resolution 1325 and built on OSESGY’s bottom-up consultations to center Yemeni women’s voices in peace and mediation processes.
As part of the forum’s practical focus, participants engaged in scenario planning exercises and storytelling sessions inspired by international experiences from conflict-affected contexts such as Libya, Sudan, and Afghanistan. These sessions enabled Yemeni women to explore pathways toward inclusive political participation and to develop strategic tools for contributing to peace negotiations and post-conflict recovery.
Women Reclaiming the Future of Peace
Participants expressed pride in the collective energy and solidarity that defined the Forum, viewing it as a powerful step forward in reclaiming space and visibility for Yemeni women in shaping the future of their country. Many described the gathering as a rare moment of unity and inspiration, where women from across political, regional, and generational divides came together to exchange experiences and forge a shared vision.
Amid this optimism, participants voiced deep concern about exclusion and called for structured mechanisms to ensure their participation. In a powerful reflection, Judge Eshraq Al Maktari emphasized: “Justice is paramount, especially for the 148 victims who died under torture and the thousands arrested… Peace starts with a mother’s heart.”
“YEMENI WOMEN ARE REWRITING THE NARRATIVE OF THEIR NATION… THEY ARE THE ARCHITECTS OF CHANGE, THE GUARDIANS OF JUSTICE, AND THE CHAMPIONS OF EQUALITY”.
- LIZA BADAWI, A MEMBER OF THE PEACE TRACK INITIATIVE
The Madrid Declaration
At the conclusion of the forum, participants put forward the Madrid Declaration on Advancing the Women, Peace and Security Agenda in Yemen, dated 19 October 2024. The Declaration calls for an immediate cessation of violence, gender-sensitive peace agreements, and the institutional inclusion of women in peacebuilding mechanisms. The Declaration has since served as both a national and international advocacy tool, reinforcing Yemeni women’s leadership and collective commitment to shaping a just and sustainable peace.
