Yes, she is half a woman, perhaps the remnants of a woman, facing the brutal Zionist aggression in steadfast Gaza amidst international complicity. She is the woman who lived through the tragedy of the infamous Sednaya Prison in Syria for years. She is the mother now displaced in Yemen, a refugee in Sudan, whose family has been torn apart, losing her husband, a son, or a brother.

Women are often the ones who pay the heaviest price in wars, and they usually pay this price multiple times. They pay it as women subjected to rape and sexual violence, as wives widowed by the killing of their husbands, as mothers whose children become martyrs, and as activists facing oppression and imprisonment, enduring a massive and bloody tragedy with lasting effects for years and decades.

From injustice and oppression to poverty, ignorance, unemployment, and spinsterhood, women in many countries endure harsh suffering due to wars in which they have no stake, yet they remain targets for the machinery of war, the regime’s thugs, and the prisons of dictators. Meanwhile, the world boasts about “women's rights” in the 21^st century.

Eyes are closed, tongues are silenced, and consciences die when the target and victim are Arab or Muslim women. Then, they become deaf, mute, and blind, neither condemning the suffering of these women nor imposing sanctions on those responsible for their ordeal. The suffering of these women, driven to the edge by wars and ongoing conflicts funded by regional and international forces, unfolds under the watchful eye of the international community and global organizations.

When Umm Ahmed stepped on a landmine left behind by years of war in Yemen, it tore apart her frail body. She wasn’t a fighter in a battle, nor was she affiliated with any political party; she was merely a victim caught between lives lost and limbs severed, as reported by the International Committee of the Red Cross.

The 2023 report states that women are sometimes used as tools of war, subjected to physical violence, their social roles shrink and their options diminish as conflicts drag on. This exacerbates their suffering and makes them vulnerable to economic, social, and psychological setbacks.

According to alarming statistics, nearly 90 million girls — one in five girls worldwide — live in conflict zones, facing devastating consequences for their physical and mental health.

Gaza in Agony

The women of Gaza are a living example of this painful reality in a world that annually celebrates women while they are reduced to “half women” in a place that has become a mark of shame on humanity’s conscience. Women and children make up about 70% of the casualties of the “Israeli” war on the Strip between November 2023 and April 2024, according to data from the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights.

More than a million women in Gaza lack access to food, clean drinking water, or sanitary facilities, including bathrooms and sanitary pads. Four out of five mothers skip meals to feed their children. Some 155,000 pregnant and breastfeeding women face medical and psychological hardships, and 328,000 girls have been deprived of education. Over a million women have been displaced, according to the report titled “Gaza: War on Women’s Health,” published by UN Women last September.

Sima Bahous, the Executive Director of UN Women, stated that two mothers are killed in Gaza every hour. The spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General, Stéphane Dujarric, reported that around 3,000 women have lost their husbands or become the sole breadwinners for their families in the Zionist war, which claimed over 155,000 martyrs and wounded.

The tragedy of Gaza’s women has long exposed the hypocrisy of the West and the international community regarding women’s rights, with no protection umbrella to shield them from death by shelling, starvation, cold, or captivity. They are defenseless, unarmed, and not military targets to provoke Netanyahu’s jets, Ben-Gvir’s cannons, or Smotrich’s bombs. The world has never moved to establish a no-fly zone to protect civilian women and children or impose severe sanctions on the aggressors, as it did in response to Russia's war on Ukraine.

Of course, the blood of Ukrainian women differs from that of Palestinian women. The international community’s response to women differs based on their nationality, religion, and language. Palestinian women pay the price as females, Arabs, and Muslims, while the world annually celebrates International Women’s Day as the processions of female martyrs continue in Gaza.

True recognition of women should be an opportunity to show solidarity with women in conflict and war zones, especially Palestinian women. It should involve legislating laws to protect them, safeguard their dignity and honor, allocate funds to meet their needs, and rehabilitate them psychologically, medically, educationally, socially, and economically. They should be honored in international forums to ensure they are not reduced to “half women.”

Urgently, reconstruction efforts should extend beyond rebuilding infrastructure to rebuilding these women, providing recovery environments, healing their wounds, compensating them for lost education, facilitating marriage for widows, supporting mothers who have lost children, rescuing those who have lost homes, and ensuring their security while holding aggressors accountable to prevent a recurrence of such tragedies anywhere in the world.

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Arab youth in general face a challenging void, but the Yemeni case is uniquely severe due to the ongoing war since 2015. This war has led to the closure of many sports and cultural clubs, the suspension of recreational activities, and a sharp rise in unemployment. Consequently, many young Yemenis spend their time chewing khat, wandering the streets, or even joining combat fronts, increasing the risks of deviation, crime, and societal instability.

Young people in Yemen face monumental challenges due to this void. With youth making up 70% of the country’s population, statistics reveal that one-third of them are unemployed, creating a crisis that fuels feelings of frustration and despair.

This void often translates into negative behaviors that threaten societal stability, such as deviation, crime, extremism, and terrorism. It also weighs heavily on their mental health and hinders their ambition, leading to disorders like depression and anxiety.

A 2019 study on mental health in Yemen revealed alarming statistics:

• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) affects 45% of Yemeni youth.
• Depression affects 27%, anxiety 25%, schizophrenia 18%, and phobias 4%.

The Trap of Idleness: Breeding Ground for Deviance, Crime, and Mental Illness

Social studies agree that the phenomenon of idleness among Yemeni youth is not just a fleeting issue but a trap leading to deviance, crime, and mental illnesses, threatening their future and that of their society. Idleness provides a fertile ground for deviant behaviors. Youth deprived of positive activities may resort to prohibited behaviors such as drug abuse, theft, assault, and moral corruption, jeopardizing societal cohesion.

Additionally, frustration and despair stemming from unemployment can push youth toward crime as a source of income or as a means of expressing anger. The void also serves as fertile soil for extremist ideologies. Young people lacking proper religious upbringing may fall prey to extremists who exploit their emotions and misguide them, potentially leading them to violent acts that threaten societal security.

Studies also highlight idleness as a major factor contributing to mental illnesses like depression and anxiety. Feelings of boredom, loneliness, and hopelessness negatively impact mental health, potentially leading to destructive behaviors, including suicide.

Thus, the negative effects of idleness overshadow all aspects of young people's lives, from their mental health to their social behavior, hindering their progress toward success and development.

Mental Health Crisis in Yemen

According to reports by the UN Population Fund (UNFPA) last year, Yemen suffers from a severe shortage of mental health services and resources:

• Seven million Yemenis required mental health care in 2024.
• There is only one psychiatrist for every 700,000 people, compared to the global standard of 40 psychiatrists per 100,000 people.
• Only 120,000 out of the seven million in need can access mental health services.
• At least one-third of Yemenis suffer from mental disorders.

Suicide Cases

UNFPA statistics also highlight an alarming spread of suicide cases in Yemen:

• More than 50 suicides or suicide attempts occurred in Houthi-controlled provinces in 2022.
• One suicide case every two days.
• Over five teachers committed suicide in Ibb Province in 2019.

These statistics emphasize the dire impact of Yemen's civil war and the void and unemployment among Yemeni youth, alongside the accompanying psychological and behavioral effects that threaten societal stability and future.

The Void and Youth Suffering

The war has caused the closure of many sports and cultural clubs, depriving youth of sports and activities that once filled their time positively.

Recreational activities such as cultural events, trips, and outings have also ceased, intensifying feelings of boredom and frustration.

The conflict has significantly increased unemployment rates, making it challenging for young people to find jobs that could productively occupy their time.

Almost all sports activities in Yemen have halted during the war, including leagues, football matches, and other games. For years, Yemen did not participate in any regional or international sports activities sine the eruption of war. The 2019–2020 season marked the first football league since sports activities stopped in 2014, following the Houthi takeover of Sana’a and the start of the war.

Undoubtedly, the suspension of sports activities since 2014 has had a profound impact on clubs and athletes, depriving them of training and match opportunities, leading to a decline in the country's sports standards.

Youth and Social Media

The misuse of social media, without ethical or value-based guidance, has led to a significant waste of time, the most precious human resource. Many young people have become mere consumers, neither benefiting themselves nor contributing to society.

A large segment of youth has retreated into isolation with these platforms, distancing themselves from societal issues. This detachment prevents them from engaging in the pressing issues of their community, depriving Yemen of a vital force in addressing its crises.

One specialized study noted that about 70% of Yemeni youth spend most of their time on social media, with no tangible benefits for themselves or society.

Another study found that social media addiction has significantly altered societal behaviors among Yemeni youth. Traditions like visiting during occasions and cooperating in crises have dwindled, as many youth don’t care anymore of crises and disasters even affecting their relatives. Many now content to send text messages as their maximum form of participation.

The increasing free time among Yemeni youth is closely tied to the country's economic crises and the widespread tribal conflicts. Finding effective solutions is impossible without addressing the civil and tribal disputes that act as the root cause, as these conflicts exacerbate unemployment, crime, drug abuse, and, most critically, the erosion of values and religious principles among many young people.

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The educational process in Yemen is experiencing a severe decline and continuous deterioration. Education has been significantly impacted, affecting its various aspects in unprecedented ways due to the ongoing war for more than nine years. The education sector in Yemen is one of the largest sectors affected by the war, with the situation becoming increasingly worse. According to relevant reports, the illiteracy rate has increased by about 70% in rural areas and 40% in cities.

According to UNICEF, more than 4.5 million children in Yemen are out of school due to the repercussions of years of armed conflict in the country. The fragmentation of the already nearly collapsed educational system has had a profound impact on the learning, cognitive, and emotional development, as well as the overall mental health of the 10.6 million children in the age of school.

The situation has worsened with the division in the management of the educational process, resulting in two Ministries of Education: one under the legitimate government and the other under the Houthi group. Thousands of teachers and tens of thousands of students have been displaced from Houthi-controlled areas to government-controlled areas, particularly in Ma'rib, which is overwhelmed with displaced people, thereby doubling the burden there.

Yemeni Prime Minister in the internationally recognized legitimate government, Ahmed bin Mubarak, previously stated that the education sector in Yemen has suffered severe damage, affecting its infrastructure and educational outputs, resulting in the worst educational crisis in Yemen’s history.

In his speech at a conference organized by the Qatar's Education Above All Foundation under the slogan “Education in Danger: The Human Cost of War,” he highlighted the severe violations faced by the educational sector and children in conflicts, attended by global leaders, senior UN officials, and representatives of civil society organizations worldwide.

Bin Mubarak indicated that more than 2,860 schools have been damaged by the war, becoming unable to accommodate students due to complete or partial destruction or their use as military barracks or weapon warehouses by the Houthi group. Some schools are even used as prisons and detention centers for those opposing the group’s policies.

Political and educational analyst Abdul Wase Al-Fatky believes that after eight years of war, Yemen’s educational scene appears fragmented, as if between two educational systems of different countries. He adds that the war has significantly affected the quality of education, leading to poor educational outcomes in both government-controlled areas and Houthi-controlled areas.

Al- Fatky continues, stating that today we face two different educational systems with different goals and orientations. This is evident in the Houthis’ insistence on establishing a new educational philosophy that aligns with their ideological orientations, striving to ensure that educational outputs serve their objectives and alter the identities of students and Yemeni society.

The Yemeni political analyst continues outlining many problems that have accompanied and continue to affect the educational process in Yemen since the war, such as turning many schools into prisons, using others for sectarian indoctrination, the lack of school textbooks, and the unprecedented spread of cheating.

Due to the ongoing war in Yemen, deteriorating economic conditions, and lack of income, the country has witnessed an unprecedented dropout rate among students at all levels. Tens of thousands have left their studies to earn a living, the same reason that has driven thousands of teachers and university professors, who have been without salaries since 2016, to leave teaching and seek alternative livelihoods. These financial circumstances have forced them into difficult and modest jobs that do not match their qualifications or academic degrees.

According to a human rights report by the “American Center for Justice” titled “The Forgotten Crime,” more than 170,000 teachers in Houthi-controlled areas suffer from unpaid salaries. The report documented the killing of 1,579 teachers, 2,624 injuries, 621 arrests, 36 enforced disappearances, and 142 cases of forced displacement since September 2014.

Just as Yemen's military and civil state institutions were devastated by the war, higher education was not spared. The war and its factions have destroyed what was built over many years through curriculum updates, changes in the educational process in universities, the exclusion of staff and specialists, the looting of university revenues and allocations, among other violations and abuses.

Due to repeated tampering and continuous corruption in public and private universities and the ongoing decline in educational quality, institutions like Sana’a University, Yemen’s foremost public university, along with other Yemeni universities, were removed from the Academic Ranking of World Universities in China. This led to the complete removal of Yemen from the list, indicating that education in Yemen is no longer recognized, or at least not included in the list of international education standards.

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The national identity is considered one of the most important pillars that constitute the essence of people and distinguish them from others. It is the spiritual bond that unites individuals under one banner, characterized by belonging and loyalty to their homeland.

In Yemen, national identity forms a fundamental element in building a stable and prosperous state that everyone aspires to. Given the complexities of the political, social, and economic realities in Yemen, education emerges as a crucial tool in promoting and solidifying this national identity.

Amid the profound transformations affecting Yemeni society, the importance lies in constructing a strong and cohesive national identity based on true citizenship values that transcend tribal or sectarian affiliations. Only through cementing this national identity can the people unite and collectively strive towards achieving the desired stability and progress.

Educational curricula play a pivotal role in constructing this identity, serving as the fundamental pillar through which national values can be conveyed and imprinted in the minds and hearts of new generations. Additionally, curricula stimulate students to consider national identity as an integral part of their personal identity. This contributes to the development of national characters capable of cherishing their heritage and contributing to their country's development.

Given the significant challenges facing education in Yemen, such as armed conflicts and the destruction of educational infrastructure, updating curricula and ensuring students' access to quality education have become vital. Efforts to update and integrate curricula with Yemen's cultural and social context reflect a genuine readiness to enhance and embody national identity within education. This effort also helps curb the Houthis' attempts to substitute Yemen's national identity with another based on their ideological convictions.

Therefore, the message of Yemeni education remains clear and specific: building a cohesive and strong national identity is fundamental to achieving stability and progress. Through updating educational curricula to include national, historical, and cultural values, Yemen can achieve the ambitious goal of nurturing a generation capable of building a promising and prosperous future, proud of its heritage, and contributing to the advancement of their country.

Updating Curriculum to Enhance National Identity

Professor Aref Naji Ali, an advisor at the Yemeni Ministry of Education, believes that vigorous efforts are undertaken in the Yemeni-liberated areas by the Houthis, under the authority of the legitimate government, to reform educational curricula. These efforts aim to align with current and global developments while emphasizing the cultivation of values of belonging and national identity among students through:

• Including historical content in educational curricula that highlights the achievements of the nation and its civilization, aiming to introduce students to the history and rich heritage of their country.
• Focusing on teaching students national values such as freedom, justice, equality, and tolerance.
• Giving significant attention to teaching students the Arabic language, enabling them to express themselves and better understand their culture.
• Incorporating geographical content to introduce students to the geography of their country, familiarizing them with its location on the map, its different regions, and natural resources.
• Organizing national activities in schools periodically, such as celebrating national holidays and presenting plays that depict the history and civilization of the nation, aiming to enhance students' sense of belonging and loyalty to their country.
• Instilling in students the values of patriotism and pride in their country, by teaching them the importance of the nation in their lives and their responsibilities towards it.

Overall, these modifications aim to elevate the concept of the homeland above tribes and regions, forging a unified national identity for all Yemeni citizens.

The Houthis and Undermining Yemeni Identity

Since their coup against the state and its institutions nearly nine years ago, the Yemeni Houthi group has pursued an ideological educational policy. Many experts describe it as a systematic strategy to obliterate Yemen's national identity, which does not align with their ambitions to govern the entire country.

Dr. Mukhtar Al-Mashushi, Director General of Curricula, believes that the Houthis have altered educational curricula in their controlled areas to serve their ideology by undermining the pillars of the Yemeni state and society and destroying the national identity.

The Houthi group has made radical changes to educational curricula, removing lessons dedicated to Yemeni national symbols and introducing lessons focused on sectarian figures. This is an attempt to fill the students, especially the young, with their tribal and sectarian ideologies. The group is actively working on multiple fronts to tear down education in Yemen, withholding teachers' salaries and altering curricula to undermine Yemen's sovereignty and entrench the principle of guardianship as a supreme political idea.

Among the prominent changes made by the Houthis to replace Yemeni national identity were:

• Changing educational curricula from grades one to four of primary school, following a demand by the group's second-in-command, Mohammed Ali al-Houthi, in April 2022.
• Adding subjects related to the biography of the group's founder, Hussein Badreddin al-Houthi, citing from his speeches.
• Introducing religious subjects related to their own interpretation of Islamic history.
• Incorporating military terminology into children’s school curricula aimed at promoting the recruitment of children, controlling them, and facilitating the shaping of their identity.

Current Educational Situation

According to UNICEF, there are 2.4 million Yemeni children currently out of the education system, with the potential for this number to rise to 6 million. At least one in every four schools in Yemen has been damaged or partially destroyed due to the ongoing war.

A generation of Yemeni children born at the outset of the conflict or educated in Houthi-controlled areas faces an uncertain future. Nine years of catastrophic war have severely impacted the education sector, which was supposed to be the hope for future reconstruction. This leaves an entire generation of Yemen's children without a clear understanding of their national identity, which is crucial for defending their country and securing their future. This situation poses a threat to these generations by leaving them with no identity.

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Details of the Incident

A senior Yemeni military official, Major General Hassan bin Jalal Al-Obaidi, was tragically found murdered in his apartment in Cairo. The Yemeni embassy in Egypt confirmed the news and expressed their shock and sadness over the incident.

Reactions and Investigations

Yemeni platforms and activists reacted strongly to the news of Al-Obaidi's killing, sharing pictures and videos of him online. The embassy has assigned specialists to work with Egyptian authorities to investigate the incident and uncover the truth behind this "painful" event.

Unclear Circumstances

It is still unclear whether Al-Obaidi was on a medical trip or a military mission at the time of his death. Reports suggest that he had recently visited multiple capitals and was planning to travel to Turkey. Al-Obaidi was known for his expertise in military manufacturing and his leadership in the National Army.

Remembering Major General Al-Obaidi

Former Yemeni Minister of Defense, Lieutenant General Muhammad Ali Al-Maqdishi, and journalist Muhammad Al-Salhi paid tribute to Al-Obaidi, highlighting his important role in developing the army's equipment and his dedication to his work. This tragic incident has shocked the Yemeni community and raised questions about the circumstances surrounding Al-Obaidi's death. Investigations are ongoing to bring justice to the perpetrators of this heinous crime.

Source: Agencies