UNFPA YemenL Baking her way back to life: Safe spaces offer economic empowerment for women and girls

Marib, Yemen

“Me and my seven children found ourselves in misery and destitution. I wish I did not live to face it,” says 38 year-olds Halimah* from Ibb Governorate.

Halimah lost her husband to the conflict, and found herself having to provide for her seven children. Soon after, the family was displaced by the hostilities in the area to Marib Governorate, where Halimah’s parents and siblings were residing.

“I thought being close to my family in Marib would give my children a better life, but I was rejected by them.

Life became increasing challenging for Halimah and the family. With no source of income or support from her family.

“I lived through days of hardship and distress with nothing but tears to alleviate my grief and my children’s hunger. The only option I had was to beg people to give  food and some clothes,” states Halimah.

Determined for a solution 

Determined to find a solution to her children’s hunger, Halimah attended an awareness session conducted by the outreach team of Al Mattar women and girls safe space. The safe space is supported by UNFPA with funding from KSrelief.

Halimah decided to visit the safe space the very next day.

“This is a safe space that protects women and girls, so I was hopeful it would help me in overcoming my miserable life,” told Halimah.

At the safe spaces Halimah was provided with a range of services that would allow her to rebuild her life and provide for her children.

“The staff at the safe space overwhelmed me with kindness and offered various services such as psychological support, which removed my worries and enlightened me in facing life’s obstacles. 

I was also provided with legal support, which informed me of my rights and ways of claiming them. I then met with a social worker, who assessed my needs for livelihood training. I enrolled in the financial and marketing life skills course, which gave me social and professionals skills need to start a business. Thereafter, I enrolled in a cookery course and mastered the art of baking cakes and pastries,” added Halimah.

Baking her way back to life 

Halimah now runs her own business sweet and pastry business that helps her to provide food and basic needs for her seven children.

With the profits from her business she has hired a lawyer to claim the rights of her husband’s land for her children, taken away by his family.

“Today, I live with the smell of delicious pastries and the smiles on my children’s faces." tells a Halimah with pride. 

With the financial assistance of KSrelief, 12 safe spaces in six governorates across southern parts of Yemen operate to provide women like Halimah with the protection and empowerment they urgently need.

With KSrelief support, nearly 40,000 women and girls have been reached with such protection and livelihood services since January 2024.