Power in Perseverance: Understanding the Journey of Women Entrepreneurs in Yemen

In Yemen, women and girls face multiple obstacles that hinder progress toward gender equality and limit their economic participation. The ongoing conflict has devastated the lives, health, and economic prospects of ordinary Yemenis, and deepened vulnerabilities, especially for women and girls. However, global experience has shown that women often take on the role of head of household and actively participate in income-generating activities during times of crisis. A similar trend has reportedly been seen in Yemen, with women starting new businesses since the start of the conflict and having more say in household decision making. Despite this, Yemeni women still face societal expectations and restrictive norms that limit their mobility and interactions in public life. This study analyzes factors that enable or constrain Yemeni women to participate in economic activities during a period of protracted conflict. The study uses in-depth interviews and photo documentary to portray the journeys of 24 female entrepreneurs from four governorates in Yemen who have persevered with their businesses. The team subsequently coded and analyzed all interviews to search for common themes and emerging patterns. The study focuses on a niche group of women who have started enterprises in a country where the female labor force participation is low. The study uncovers critical insights into understanding their needs and aspirations to pave an enabling environment. This study, while small, can be used to inform findings relevant to (i) this group of women, (ii) other women living in other parts of Yemen, (iii) other women living in similar contexts of protracted conflict, and (iv) generations of women to come in these contexts. The study found that interviewed female entrepreneurs face a web of intertwined factors that act as facilitators and barriers at the individual and household, enterprise and market, formal institutions, and informal institutions levels.