LocationsWomen leading Yemen’s renewable energy future
June 2, 2025
Women participants work together to produce solar-based ovens as part of their vocational training in Al Qaten District, Hadramout Governorate.
In the districts of Al Qabaitah, Lahj Governorate, and Al Qaten, Hadramout Governorate, Yemen, solar energy is changing how and when communities access energy. Women from these districts are now leading the way with solar energy businesses, providing much-needed solar amenities to their communities.
The Empowering Yemeni Women Catalysing Renewable Energy Project, implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), with local partner For All Foundation and funded by the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre (KSrelief), is a model of how local authorities and community leaders can be involved to co-create solutions for putting women at the center of recovery.
A group of women participate in an entrepreneurship training session in Al Qabaitah
A collaborative approach to change
The project’s success hinges on its participatory design, where local leaders act as partners—not just implementers.
"Dialogue with local authorities helps us understand community needs, especially for women in renewable energy," says Mr. Ayman Al-Shahari, the Director of Technical and Vocational Education in Al Qabaitah, Lahj Governorate. "This project ensures women are integrated into the economy."
Mr. Mukhtar Shwhday, Director of Social Affairs in Al Qabaitah, highlights the project’s impact:
"The most pressing gaps include low awareness of renewable energy and women’s exclusion from clean-tech jobs. By building skills and creating green opportunities, we’re addressing both economic and environmental challenges."
"This project will be transformative for women in our district," says Bushra Salama, Chairwoman of the Women's Development Association and Project Community Committee member in Al Qaten District. "By equipping them with renewable energy skills and income opportunities, we're not just empowering individuals - we're uplifting entire families. When women gain financial independence, the benefits ripple through households and communities, raising living standards and strengthening social participation."
Women from community committees participating in a project introduction session in Al Qaten, Hadramout Governorate.
Empowering women with solar energy
Yemen’s energy crisis has left millions without reliable electricity. At the same time, women-headed households—often the most vulnerable—face steep barriers to employment. This project tackles both issues by:
- Training women in solar technology installation and maintenance.
- Supporting them to launch micro-businesses selling solar products.
- Strengthening community trust in women’s roles in the economy.
Haddad Al-Qahoum, a Social Affairs Officer in Al-Qaten, explains:
"Solar energy is simple, safe, and adaptable, and supports business owners to become active contributors to family and community development."
How renewable energy impacts the lives of Yemeni women
In Yemen, women face a compounded crisis: limited economic opportunities and the daily burden of energy poverty. Over 70% of Yemen’s population lacks reliable electricity, forcing women—already disproportionately affected by poverty—to spend hours gathering fuel or navigating blackouts that disrupt livelihoods, education, and healthcare.
Bushra Salama, Chairwoman of the Women’s Development Association and Member of the project’s Community Committee in Al Qaten talks about the challenges women face in their districts:
"Women face steep barriers in renewable energy— including limited training and scarce jobs. Rural communities require more awareness of solar power’s dual potential: clean energy and income."
For women in rural Yemen, energy access isn’t just infrastructure—it’s dignity, safety, and a voice in the future of their communities.
A ripple effect: Income, status, and sustainability
The benefits extend beyond lightbulbs and solar panels. As Abdul Latif Al-Naqeeb, Director General of Al Qaten District, notes:
"This project bridges the food gap first, then equips women with expertise for long-term resilience. The local authority’s role is to amplify its impact—through awareness campaigns and future opportunities."
Early signs are promising.
Emad Shahar, Director General of Al Qabaitah District, observes:
"Over time, this will significantly improve the economic status of many women. Their businesses will generate income while meeting critical energy needs."
Local authorities and women participating in the project at the launch of solar energyvocational training in Al Qabaitah, Lahj Governorate.
The road ahead
Through this partnership, the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre (KSrelief) and UNDP are involving local authorities and community leaders in every phase of the Empowering Yemeni Women Catalysing Renewable Energy Project—from design to implementation. By embedding a local development approach, the project strengthens partnerships, builds local trainers’ capacities, and promotes sustainable business networks. Through participatory methods and tailored solutions, it fosters community ownership, ensuring alignment with locally identified needs and priorities.
Ahmed Khamis, Chairman of Al Qaten’s Services Committee, believes the project is a springboard for those who will be taking vocational courses:
"Trainees gain not just jobs, but entrepreneurial skills. This is how we empower women to lead in Yemen’s renewable energy future."
KSrelief and UNDP have forged a strategic partnership to address the dire humanitarian and developmental challenges in Yemen, where years of conflict have left millions in need of urgent assistance. This partnership exemplifies how humanitarian aid and long-term development can work hand-in-hand to address both immediate needs and systemic recovery in crisis-hit regions like Yemen. By combining resources, expertise, and local engagement, this collaboration continues to make a tangible difference in the lives of the people of Yemen.
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