With deep sorrow and strong condemnation, the Women’s Solidarity Network received the shocking news of the assassination of Ms. Aftihan Al-Mashhari, Director of the Sanitation Fund in Taiz Governorate, who was brutally targeted and killed in broad daylight by unidentified gunmen as of the time of this statement. The perpetrators and their motives remain unknown. This heinous crime reflects yet another alarming and unprecedented moral decline, manifested in the deliberate targeting of women

Taiz, and Yemen as a whole, has lost one of its most prominent professional and transparent female leaders— a woman who dedicated her life to fighting corruption and serving her community with integrity, never succumbing to pressures or temptations. Her clarity, honesty, and commitment are well attested by the people of Taiz, both women and men, who witnessed her career, her professionalism, and her struggle for justice

This outrageous crime constitutes a flagrant violation of the right to life and personal security. It also represents a direct attack on a woman in a formal leadership position and falls within the broader patterns of gender-based violence. It is a form of intimidation and suppression of women working in public life, especially those who have demonstrated competence, integrity, and an unwavering commitment to combating corruption and serving the public good. This assassination once again highlights the systemic  campaigns of incitement, bullying, and exclusion that women face when assuming leadership roles

The killing of Ms. Al-Mashhari, one of the most capable women professionals in the public sector, reflects the alarming state of lawlessness and the persistence of impunity. It marks a dangerous collapse in moral and civic values, particularly regarding respect for women’s rights, while fostering an environment of intimidation and violence against them, undermining decades of hard-won progress in women’s rights and participation

Accordingly, the Women’s Solidarity Network demands the following

The local security and judicial authorities in Taiz must launch an immediate, transparent investigation, apprehend the perpetrators, and ensure their swift and strict prosecution without delay or manipulation

The political and security leadership must assume its legal and moral responsibility to enforce the rule of law, ensure the safety of all citizens—men and women alike—and take serious measures to protect honest national cadres as an essential asset of the state

The government must adopt firm policies to protect women and enforce the strongest punitive measures against those who incite violence and hostility toward women and their work in the public sphere

May God have mercy on the late Ms. Al-Mashhari, grant her eternal peace, and bestow patience and solace upon her family and loved ones

Issued by:
The Women’s Solidarity Network
18.09.2025