[24/07/2026 05:27]

(Archive)

ADEN-SABA
The recent republican decisions issued yesterday, Thursday, marked a new turning point in promoting the participation of Yemeni women in decision-making positions. The decisions included the appointment of Dr. Afrah Abdulaziz Al-Zouba as Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates, making her the first woman in the country's history to hold this sovereign portfolio. Moreover, Dr. Ahd Mohammed Salem Jaasous was appointed Minister of Local Administration, becoming the first woman to take on this ministry since the establishment of the republic.

The decision, in deed, represents an advanced step in fostering the presence of Yemeni women in state institutions, after the government formed earlier this year included three female ministers: Dr. Afrah al-Zouba as Minister of Planning and International Cooperation, Judge Ishraq Fadl al-Maqtari as Minister of Legal Affairs, and Dr. Ahd Jassous as Minister of State for Women's Affairs. Then, in the recent reshuffle, they were appointed in the Foreign Affairs and Local Administration portfolios, it is really an unprecedented move at the level of the main sovereign and service ministries.

This development comes as a continuance of an institutional approach adopted by the Presidential Leadership Council (PLC) to promote women's participation in state institutions. In recent years, Judge Sabah al-Alwani was appointed as the first woman member of the Supreme Judicial Council, eight female judges were appointed to the Supreme Court of the Republic, and Jamila Ali Rajaa became the first Yemeni ambassador to the USA. These steps demonstrate the growing presence of women in the executive and judicial authorities, as well as in the diplomatic corps.

The appointment of the first woman to lead the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the first woman to head the Ministry of Local Administration marks a major shift in the role of Yemeni women in public administration. For decades, their presence was limited to a few ministerial positions or executive roles, but today, their involvement extends to ministries directly tied to political and administrative decision-making, foreign relations and local governance.

Over the earlier decades, Yemeni women have seen an increasingly growing presence in different state institutions and have proven their competence in public administration, judicial work and diplomacy, along with their roles in development, relief, planning and peace-building, as well as their political, social and rights-based contributions, which have boosted their role as an active partner in public affairs.

In spite of the challenges created by the Houthi coup on Yemeni women, and the violations and restrictions on rights and freedoms they were subjected to in the militias-controlled areas, Yemeni women have continued to perform their national roles in various positions of responsibility, and contributed to defending the values of the republic and the state, participating in humanitarian and human rights efforts, and strengthening Yemen's presence in regional and international forums.

The surge in assigning leadership positions to women reflects an institutional and progressive tendency within the PLC and the government to make use of national talents without discrimination and to reinforce the principle of equal opportunities in taking on public responsibilities. This is an advanced step forward toward building modern state institutions and promoting women's involvement in decision-making based on competence and experience.

By assigning Dr. Afrah al-Zouba as Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriate, women are strengthening their presence among countries that have placed the leadership of their diplomacy in the hands of a woman. This is the most remarkable step in the history of Yemeni women's participation since the establishment of the republic nearly seven decades ago. It is really a turning point proves a deep institutional shift in the course of national partnership and empowering talented individuals to make decisions at all levels.

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