The Women Solidarity Network regrets the reversal of the decision issued by the Taiz Governorate Police Director on January 30th 2023, regarding the appointment of 5 women with police ranks in leadership positions in a number of police stations in the city of Taiz and limiting the appointments to departments of women and children only.

Although the departments of women, children and family protection are no less important, standardizing the work of female security leaders, limiting their work to traditional roles is not enough to empower them to work in all aspects of security.

Members of the Women Solidarity Network have been involved in a number of initiatives that supported women's meaningful participation by presenting a database of qualified women expertise, including women in security to support and empower their involvement within the Security Committee and security sectors across Yemen. A proposal for a mechanism to involve women at all levels was also extended through Yemeni women expertise database, which is found using this link:

https://www.womensolidaritynetwork.org/women-experts-lkhbrt-lnsy-y-filter

Nevertheless, the status of women's representation still does not live up to women's aspirations, does not meet the minimum level of representation, contradicts the references that govern the political stage, and contradicts the national plan for women, peace and security.

The reversal of these decisions came as a great shock, especially since it came after appointments that limit women to family care. In the governorates of Aden and Hadramout, women's participation in the areas of state building was restricted, with efforts by some persons and authorities seeking to diminish the appointment of women and their participation in the decision-making or the peace process.

The Women Solidarity Network (which includes more than 300 women led organizations, women leaders and expertise), deplores this decline in the role of women in Yemen, especially in the past nine years of war and recommends the following:

1. Restore the appointment status of women with police ranks who were appointed by the Police Director of Taiz Governorate in the police stations by a ministerial decision issued by the Minister of Interior, to ensure the legality of the appointments and the consequent financial rights and the right to promotion and not to back down from the decision or undo it.
2. Urge the Presidential Leadership Council to issue clear directives to involve women at all levels of the state without exception, and urge the Council of Ministers to adopt an executive matrix for a speedy implementation and on translating commitments to implement the National Plan for Women and Peace in terms of enhancing the participation of women and policewomen in particular, and in reforming the security institution in general.
3. Increase opportunities for women to participate in leadership positions in the police, internal security, security sectors, prisons, border crossings and military points.
4. Qualify more policewomen through activating the Women's Police School in Aden or through courses that support their adequate qualification to maintain security.

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