09 March 2026, Aden, Yemen – In Yemen’s prolonged humanitarian crisis, women and girls continue to face a heightened risk of gender-based violence (GBV), while the health system struggles under the weight of conflict, displacement and limited resources. In such a fragile context, ensuring that survivors of GBV can access safe, confidential and quality health services is not only a public health priority – it is a matter of dignity, protection and human rights.
Since 2021, the Ministry of Public Health and Population, in close partnership with the World Health Organization (WHO), has been working to institutionalize survivor-centred GBV services and strengthen safeguarding mechanisms across the health system. The approach has focused on reinforcing national leadership, standardizing clinical guidance, improving quality of care and embedding ethical accountability into everyday health practice.
A cornerstone of this effort has been large-scale capacity-building. During 2024–2025, 2496 health professionals were trained on responding to GBV and the prevention of sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment. This included 1956 health ministry staff and health-care providers, 286 representatives from civil society organizations and 254 Health Cluster partners. This training enhanced frontline readiness, strengthened referral pathways and promoted safer, more accountable service delivery in health facilities nationwide.
A major milestone was reached on 14 December 2025, with the endorsement of the updated National Protocol for the Medical Management of GBV Survivors. The protocol provides standardized, practical guidance to unify how providers identify, manage, document and refer GBV cases – ensuring comprehensive, confidential and survivor-centred care across all levels of the health system. As one frontline health worker said: “This guideline unifies how we manage cases and ensures survivors receive comprehensive and respectful services.”
In parallel, the Ministry of Public Health and Population, supported by WHO, has developed a national code of conduct that clearly defines professional behaviour, prohibits sexual misconduct and establishes reporting and response mechanisms to increase accountability.
Together, these reforms are strengthening the safeguarding of women and girls, the quality of health care and trust in Yemen’s health services – ensuring that survivors are treated with dignity and that health workers operate within clear, ethical standards. Sustained investment and partnership will be needed to expand and maintain this lifesaving, survivor-centred response.
