18-year-old Salma has lived with speech impairment since childhood. Her condition made her a target of bullying from an early age, severely affecting her ability to communicate, her mental well-being, and her education.

In late 2024, Salma and her family fled to Al-Mahrah Governorate. Her family includes eight sisters, an elderly father, and a mother who is forced to work selling small household items door-to-door, earning only a modest profit to meet the family’s most basic needs.

Amid deepening poverty and the breakdown of social protection systems caused by the conflict in Yemen, Salma found herself increasingly isolated and struggling with a deteriorating sense of mental well‑being. She dreamed of overcoming these difficult circumstances, living with dignity, and becoming financially self‑reliant.

“Our circumstances are extremely difficult,” Salma recalls. “Most days, all we have to eat is bread and water, and many nights we go to bed hungry. We live with constant hardship. Life is especially difficult when it comes to putting food on the table. I wished I could work and help my family, but I had no skills and felt completely helpless.”

Weaving Her Life, Shaping Her Future

This reality began to change when Salma arrived at the Safe Space for Women and Girls, operated by HUMAN ACCESS for Partnership and Development under the 'Provision of Livelihood Services to Vulnerable Women and Girls in Yemen project', and funded by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).

At the Safe Space, Salma found people who listened to her with care and without judgment. She felt heard and understood. This marked the beginning of a hopeful new chapter in her life, starting with mental support that helped her recover from past trauma, rebuild her self‑confidence.

“It had been so long since I felt safe. When I walked into the Safe Space, everything began to change,” Salma recalls. “I realized that I was not alone, that my voice could be heard and understood, and that having a disability is neither a shame nor a weakness. I finally overcame my fear and concerns.”

In March 2026, Salma joined a sewing‑focused vocational training and economic empowerment programme, gaining practical skills in such income‑generating profession. By July, she was provided with a sewing machine and basic tools, enabling her to generate an income and achieve economic self‑reliance.

Today, Salma uses her creativity and newly acquired skills to sew garments and handicrafts from her modest home. Her work now provides a steady source of income, helping her family meet their basic needs and cope with the challenges of daily life. This made her an inspiration to others facing similar challenges.

“I finally feel strong,” Salma says. “My creations are my voice today. Our lives have changed for the better, and we feel safer and more dignified. It means so much that we no longer go to bed hungry. But I will not stop here. I plan to teach my sisters this profession. My next dream is to establish a fully equipped tailoring workshop and become an entrepreneur.”

Salma’s story highlights the vital role HUMAN ACCESS plays, in partnership with UNFPA, in supporting vulnerable women and girls across Yemen. By fostering economic independence and empowering women to pursue their aspirations, this partnership helps build resilient communities and stronger local economies—paving the way for a brighter future for all.

(Name has been changed to protect identity)