Yemeni Traditional Dispute Tools for Disputes Resolution and the Role of Women and Men

A descriptive piece of field research on the traditional tools used to settle disputes in Yemen.

A research working team was assigned by the Youth Leadership Development Foundation within the Women Leaders for Peace project to conduct a field study in six governorates (Sana’a, Aden, Ibb, Hodiedah, Marib and Hadramout) of Yemen. The study is a descriptive piece of field research on the traditional tools used to settle disputes in Yemen, including tools used by women which may be used in future; and the extent to which women are affected by disputes and obstacles related to women’s engagement in settling disputes. There are many different types of disputes based on culture or the surrounding environment. Some types are considered to be of common concern for all such as criminal or family disputes. Others are new disputes resulting from the current political and economic situation resulting from the war such as authority-base disputes or service-base disputes, in addition to disputes resulting from economic deterioration.

The research team found a decline in people’s awareness and knowledge of traditional tools except for arbitration, which was the most well-known and popular tool. There is a significant interest in the modern tools like dialogue and negotiations. In relation to women’s tools, community awareness is limited since most of these are not traditional but developed by the community to align appropriately with the traditional role of women.

The research team concluded with some tools and ideas which can be used in the future despite the community’s ambiguous perception of women’s roles in dispute settlement. Women are primarily and directly affected by disputes in addition to various challenges concerning women’s participation in settling disputes, which will be discussed in detail in this study.