Taiz University and Mayyun for Human Rights Hold a Seminar to Promote Awareness of Women’s Rights and Legal Protection
Taiz 10/12/2025
The Women’s Studies Center at Taiz University, in partnership with Mayyun Human Rights Organization, held an awareness seminar today aimed at promoting knowledge of women’s rights and legal protections, in celebration of International Human Rights Day and the conclusion of the global “16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence” campaign.
In his opening remarks, Dr. Riyadh Al-Aqap, Vice President of Taiz University, affirmed that the university is making significant efforts to promote human rights principles and build a knowledge base grounded in awareness, empowerment, and quality education—efforts that enable meaningful participation in the future and ensure justice and protection for women as a key pillar of a society built on equality and fairness.
Dr. Al-Aqap highlighted the role of the university’s Women’s Development Center in advancing awareness of human rights mechanisms, principles, and international and national instruments, as well as its contributions to enhancing the protection and empowerment of women.
For her part, lawyer Abeer Moghles, representing Mayyun for Human Rights, noted that the organization is working to build and strengthen partnerships with the Yemeni Bar Association, the judiciary, and institutions concerned with the rule of law. She reiterated Myon’s commitment to advancing a society rooted in justice and equality—one in which human dignity is upheld and every individual enjoys safety and protection.
The seminar featured several working papers, including one titled “The Universal Declaration of Human Rights: Between International Obligations and Yemeni National Legislation,” presented by lawyer Amal Mohammed Al-Sabri. Another paper, presented by lawyer Raghda Al-Maqatari, examined women’s access to leadership positions and their participation in decision-making, in line with the outcomes of the National Dialogue Conference.
Dr. Eshraq Hael Al-Hakimi, Dean of the Women’s Development Research and Studies Center at Taiz University, called for harmonizing national legislation with international standards ratified by Yemen, emphasizing that the Universal Declaration of Human Rights remains the principal reference for the protection of citizens’ rights.
The seminar concluded with a series of recommendations, including the integration of human rights concepts into educational curricula and the need to build the capacities of teachers and faculty members through specialized training programs in coordination with law faculties.
Participants also stressed the importance of activating a minimum 30% quota for women in state institutions, parliament, and senior committees, supported by binding legal and constitutional provisions. Additional recommendations included reforming women-related legislation, enforcing laws against early marriage and gender-based violence, and adopting a dedicated law for the protection of women from violence.
The seminar further called for the use of national and international advocacy mechanisms to strengthen women’s participation in decision-making roles, as well as continued monitoring and documentation of human rights violations in line with professional standards that ensure accurate data on the human rights situation.
