09/03/2026
Statement Issued by the International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights Center
On the Occasion of International Women’s Day – 8 March
The International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights Center marks International Women’s Day observed annually on 8 March, as an important global occasion to renew the international commitment to protecting and promoting the rights of women and girls and to highlight the serious challenges and violations they continue to face—particularly in situations of armed conflict and humanitarian crises.
On this occasion, the Center affirms that women’s rights are an integral and inseparable part of the universal human rights system as guaranteed by international legal instruments including the Universal Declaration of Human Rights the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the International Covenant on Economic Social and Cultural Rights, in addition to specialized international treaties dedicated to the protection of women’s rights.
The Center expresses its strong condemnation and categorical rejection of all forms of violations committed against women and girls in Yemen and in conflict-affected areas around the world including gender-based violence sexual violence exploitation forced marriage discrimination deprivation of access to education and employment arbitrary detention abduction forced displacement and other forms of abuse
that undermine their dignity and fundamental rights
Such violations constitute grave breaches of international human rights law and international humanitarian law.
The Center further emphasizes that international humanitarian law, particularly the Geneva Conventions of 1949 and their Additional Protocols of 1977 provides special protections for women during armed conflicts.
These legal frameworks prohibit violence against civilians,
including sexual violence, outrages upon personal dignity and cruel inhuman, or degrading treatment and obligate all parties to a conflict to respect and ensure the protection of civilians without discrimination.
The Center also highlights the central importance of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) which constitutes the primary international legal framework for the protection of women’s rights and obliges States Parties to adopt legislative administrative and judicial measures to eliminate discrimination against women in all spheres of life.
Furthermore, the Center underscores the significance of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action (1995) which represents a historic global commitment to advancing gender equality and women’s empowerment and calls for the elimination of violence and discrimination against women and the promotion of their full and equal participation in public life.
The Center also reiterates the importance of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women Peace and Security, which affirms the necessity of ensuring women’s meaningful participation in decision-making processes, peacebuilding, conflict prevention and post-conflict reconstruction, while guaranteeing their protection from violence related to armed conflict.
In this context the Center stresses that gender equality is not merely a fundamental human right; it is an essential foundation for building peaceful, just and sustainable societies.
Empowering women and girls and ensuring their equal participation in political, economic, and social life are critical pillars for achieving stability, development, and social justice.
The Center further emphasizes the importance of advancing Sustainable Development Goal 5, which calls for achieving gender equality and empowering all women and girls including ensuring their effective participation in decision-making at all levels and strengthening their role in peacebuilding and sustainable development.
In light of the above, the International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights Center calls upon all parties in Yemen, national authorities, and the international community to:
1- Fully comply with international humanitarian law and international human rights law and ensure the protection of women and girls in situations of armed conflict.
2- Combat impunity and ensure accountability for all crimes and violations committed against women.
3- Promote women’s meaningful participation in decision-making and peacebuilding processes in accordance with the principles of UN Security Council Resolution 1325.
4- Develop and reform national legislation and policies to align with Yemen’s international obligations under CEDAW and other relevant human rights instruments.
5- Support programs that empower women economically, socially, and educationally, contributing to sustainable development and inclusive peace.
In conclusion the International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights Center reaffirms its commitment to continue working toward documenting violations advocating for the rights of women and girls and promoting equality and justice, in cooperation with national and international partners, in order to build a society that respects human dignity and guarantees equal rights for all without discrimination.
Issued by:
International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights Center
8 March – International Women’s Day
