Success Stories

In the heart of the vibrant city of Aden, Layla Murad resides in Mualla district. She is 21 years old and she is a third-year student at the College of Media, University of Aden. Layla is Like other young people striving to improve their skills, knowledge, and self-awareness, she decided to take a bold step toward achieving her dream of becoming an influential media personality. She chose the world of podcasting as a platform to amplify her voice, showcase her talent, and enhance her growth opportunities in her professional field.Driven by her robust desire for growth and learning, Layla joined a specialized training program in podcast production, where she gained the skills and knowledge needed to embark on this unique journey. She found in this training the motivation she had been missing to begin her journey in the world of podcasting.The encouragement from her family, who instilled in her the values of patience and perseverance, played a significant role. After completing the podcast production training, which equipped her with the tools needed to pursue her journey with passion and determination, Layla continued her journey in podcasting. She was Capable to overcome the challenges and obstacles she encountered from the very beginning of her journey."One voice to thousands of listeners" is the phrase that captures Layla’s success story.Currently, Layla is working on producing podcast episodes titled "The Hidden Pearl of Yafea."Layla is a role model for ambitious Yemeni youth striving to achieving their dreams despite difficult circumstances. Her story serves as an inspiration to many, demonstrating that determination and persistence are the keys of success and that young people are capable of great accomplishments if given the right opportunities.The Yemen SOUT project is funded by the Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund (AEIF2023), in partnership with PASS Foundation- Peace for Sustainable Societies, and implemented by a group of youth graduates from the cultural exchange program "YES."

Improving working conditions to enhance women's role in the police The Police Centers in Khormaksar, Al-Arish, and Mualla faced unsuitable working conditions, which directly impacted the ability of female archivists and investigators to perform their duties efficiently. There was a clear lack of basic facilities, such as sanitary services and office spaces, making it difficult for women to work in a supportive environment. This situation called for comprehensive changes to ensure a conducive work environment that would enable them to carry out their tasks effectively.In response to these challenges, "PASS," foundation in collaboration with the Aden Security Department, conducted a comprehensive needs assessment at the targeted police Centers. Based on the findings, concrete steps were taken to improve the infrastructure. These steps included renovating restrooms, installing sunshades to provide comfort for staff, and setting up solar energy systems in the women's police departments. Additionally, air conditioners, computers, and printers were installed to facilitate the work of the documentation officers and enhance their efficiency.These improvements were essential to ensure a healthy and safe working environment that reflects the importance of supporting women in security institutions. The project was systematically implemented, starting with the provision of necessary materials and the hiring of qualified workers to complete the renovation and upgrades. Efforts focused on creating a comfortable and safe environment that enables women to perform their duties professionally and effectively.As a result of these changes, significant positive impacts were observed on the performance of female archivists and investigators. The work environment improved notably, leading to higher morale and increased productivity. This project reflects a genuine commitment to improving working conditions and enhancing the role of women in the police force.If these efforts continue, they are expected to further strengthen women's rights and their vital role in security institutions, contributing to a more inclusive and effective working environment.

The police Centers in the districts of Khormaksar, Mualla, and Al-Arish were in urgent need of improving the skills and capacities of their personnel, particularly in handling gender-based issues. These issues required special attention, but the lack of knowledge and skills among police officers posed a significant barrier to providing effective support in this area. The three targeted police centers — Khormaksar, Al-Arish, and Mualla — had 21 representatives, consisting of seven soldiers and officers from each Center, who lacked sufficient training in critical areas such as forensic techniques, criminal code, code of conduct, and principles for addressing gender-based issues. This deficiency affected their ability to offer effective community support, leaving gender-related cases without proper resolution.In response to these needs, a six-day training workshop was organized during July and August, with the participation of 21 representatives from the three police Centers. The training covered essential topics, including forensic techniques, criminal code, code of conduct, police law, duties of judicial officers, criminal procedure law, and penal law. These efforts were closely coordinated with the Aden Security Department, and participant lists, including trainees, archivists, and female investigators, were prepared within the first two weeks of July to ensure the involvement of the most suitable candidates.Trainers were carefully selected to ensure the effective delivery of the training content, tailored to the trainees' needs to enhance their practical capabilities. This initiative was driven by a strong desire to improve overall police performance and increase public trust in the security services. The impact of the training became evident immediately after the workshop, as police officers gained the skills needed to address gender-based issues more efficiently, contributing to greater community trust in the police.This workshop represents a significant step toward improving police capabilities in Aden and promoting inclusivity and justice. Continued programs like this are expected to bring about sustainable improvements in how police handle sensitive issues, ultimately contributing to creating a safer and more inclusive environment for all.

The city of Aden, particularly its police Centers, had long suffered from a lack of female investigators to handle cases involving women, such as domestic violence, rape, and physical assault. Instead, men conducted these investigations, making women who came to police Centers feel unsafe and uncomfortable, often filled with fear during questioning by male officers. This situation changed dramatically after the intervention of PASS Foundation - Peace for Sustainable Societies and Yemen Support Fund -YSF.PASS and YSF, in partnership with the Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor and in collaboration with Aden's Security Administration, implemented the United Nations Women, Peace, and Security Agenda 1325 -WPS. The project involved renovating police centers by building and refurbishing investigation rooms and female-only restrooms, as well as providing computers, printers, and necessary tools. They also trained over 25 individuals, including officers, female investigators, and archivists, to equip them with the knowledge and skills to make police centers more gender-sensitive and responsive.This initiative led to a remarkable shift in the culture surrounding women's cases. Now, female investigators handle cases from the initial investigation to their submission to the public prosecutor's office, thanks to the joint efforts and ongoing coordination between all relevant parties. The responsiveness of police Centers to gender-related issues, reflecting their commitment to implementing the WPS 1325 agenda, enhances safety and justice for marginalized groups, such as the "Marginalize People" and internally displaced people, fostering a more just and equal society.Through collective efforts and teamwork, we have succeeded in creating a safer environment that prioritizes women's rights, contributing to the promotion of justice and equality in society. This experience is not just an achievement but a step toward a brighter future, where the rights of all individuals are respected, and sustainable development is achieved.

The police Centers in the districts of Khormaksar and Al-Maalla in Aden Governorate faced significant challenges in documenting cases related to "men, women, and children", they suffered from a severe shortage of resources and necessary equipment, negatively impacting the ability of female archivists and investigators to perform their duties. The situation required urgent intervention to improve conditions, especially given the increasing number of cases involving "men, women, and children" that needed careful handling.Initially, the female archivists worked in an unsuitable environment, lacking the technologies or tools necessary to effectively document gender-related cases. Cases concerning women, children, and marginalized groups such as displaced persons and those with disabilities were steadily increasing, yet there was no unified system for data collection. This situation left many cases unaddressed, exacerbating feelings of frustration within the Society.In response, PASS Foundation - Peace for Sustainable Societies, in partnership with Yemen Support Fund -YSF and in collaboration with Aden Security Department, took serious steps to address the issue. A comprehensive needs assessment was conducted for the police centers in Khormaksar and Al-Mualla, with the primary goal of creating a conducive work environment that would enable archivists to collect and document data efficiently. This change was not just about improving the physical environment; it was a strategic step towards enhancing women's rights in society.YSF and PASS Foundation organized training programs, equipping three archivists with computer skills and preparing them to obtain the International Computer Driving License -ICDL. Additionally, a special template for documenting gender-related cases was designed, helping them to organize data in a more systematic and logical manner. From July to September 2024, data was collected from police Centers and community committees, focusing on issues concerning women and marginalized individuals. These steps were the result of effective collaboration between civil society and security entities, leading to significant improvements in how gender-related issues were handled.With these transformations the community began to feel hope and reassurance. Archivists became more capable of documenting cases of violence and discrimination, contributing to greater awareness of the importance of gender issues. These initiatives are expected to enhance the role of women in the security sector, paving the way for further positive changes in the future.This story is just the beginning of a new chapter in the history of Aden Governorate, a chapter filled with hope and positive change. Thanks to these collaborative efforts, we will witness a more cohesive and united Society where all individuals enjoy justice and equality.

The Consolidation of Efforts Illuminates Ma'alla. The Ma'alla Directorate in Aden Governorate, especially its back streets inhabited by many vulnerable, marginalized, and impoverished groups, had been shrouded in darkness for years, halting nocturnal activities. Women didn't feel safe returning home from work at night, and the elderly couldn't go to the mosque for the dawn prayer. Incidents of falls, involving various age groups including pregnant women, escalated due to the darkness engulfing these areas after sunset. This situation was drastically transformed by the intervention of the Peace and Development Coalition - PDC, comprising 11 local civil society organizations operating in various sectors to serve the community. In partnership with Saferworld and in collaboration with the local authority in the directorate, Peace and Development Coalition -PDC executed a massive project to provide 397 solar-powered streetlights for the backstreets, covering 80% of the directorate's street lighting needs. This project wasn't merely about installing lighting poles; it was an investment in building a safe community. Due to the intervention's significance and success, " Afaq Shababia Foundation - ASF," one of the organizations within the coalition, was encouraged to continue the intervention, covering the remaining 90% of the need for backstreet lighting with approximately 100 solar-powered streetlights. It can be said that unifying efforts, effective coordination and communication, along with completing priority-based interventions responding to crucial community needs, constitute a real success story that enhances trust in relationships among civil society organizations, authorities, and local communities, leading to positive outcomes and tangible impacts on community peace. The key to the success of the intervention of the Coalition and the subsequent work by Afaq Shababia Foundation - ASF was community partnership, a sense of responsibility towards our societies, and working with a team spirit to enhance social cohesion and achieve security and safety for all community members.

The phenomenon of electronic blackmail occurred partly from the phenomena, but soon what happened in one of the mediators of society, which became negative for women and in general. According to statistics, the number of large-scale electronic blackmail cases reached 12 thousand cases of blackmail throughout Yemen. I was drawn to the effects of this phenomenon on the lives of women in Yemen, in particular (Aden), and it attracted hostility from several social, economic, insurance and psychological dimensions. Out of the Foundation’s keenness on society and to protect women, the “Combating Electronic Blackmail Crimes Division” was established in the Public Prosecution building in Aden Governorate, which is considered the first of its kind in the Republic and will work to reduce electronic blackmail crimes. The Noon Women’s coalition is working on drafting a legal guide on crimes. Electronic blackmail is under the direct supervision of the Public Prosecution, which will be officially approved in investigations of this type. The project is implemented by Noon Feminist Coalition in partnership with PASS Foundation - Peace for Sustainable Societies and Saferworld organization.

Due to the war and its impact, the infrastructure in Aden governorate has deteriorated which leading to flooding in the Al-Zira'a neighborhood street of Khor Maksr district. Many residents have been suffering from various problems and conflicts for a long time that making life in this area extremely difficult. In the Al-Zira'a neighborhood of Khor Maksr district in Aden governorate, the internal drainage system is almost non-existent and dilapidated, despite being close to the main drainage network. They have not found anyone to help them establish a new internal drainage network for themselves. The PASS Foundation – Peace for Sustainable Societies in partnership with the Peace and Development Coalition (PDC) in upward peacebuilding project "A-Z" that is funding by the SaveWorld organization. has implemented a project of establishing a new drainage network and connecting it to the main network that aims to solve problems and conflicts, build peace, and improve the living standards of hundreds of families in the Al-Zira'a neighborhood.

Amid the war and successive crises that have cast a shadow over Yemen's infrastructure, especially the sewage system which has caused the spread of many infectious diseases, many residents have been deprived of access to proper sewage services.Our story today is told to us by one of the parents at the Aden Children's Autism Association in Aden Governorate, she is Jasar Mother who is like the other parents who bring their children to the association for education she said that. "The situation is as bad as you can imagine and there are no hoods of nuts and autism children are unaware and unaware that this is a risk that must be avoided and also because of the spread of infectious diseases.Now, after the intervention of PASS Foundation – Peace for Sustainable Societies in the upward peacebuilding project "A-Z" in partnership with # Noon Women's Coalition NOON and funded by SaverWorld organization, the problem facing Jaser and other parents at the Aden Autism Children's Association in Khor Maksr district in Aden governorate has been addressed. The foundation repaired the sewage network and replaced the dilapidated water pipes, as well as installed covers for the drains. This intervention helped resolve conflicts and build peace within the association.