Renewed PRI–Yemen Ministry partnership to build women police capacity and strengthen gender-sensitive justice

Amman, Jordan – 4 August 2025

Building on previous efforts to strengthen bilateral cooperation, Penal Reform International – Middle East and North Africa (PRI MENA) and the Ministry of Interior of the Republic of Yemen signed a renewed cooperation agreement focused on enhancing women’s participation in law enforcement and improving institutional responses to gender-based issues.

Ms. Taghreed Jaber, Regional Director of PRI MENA, and Major General Dr. Fayez Ghaleb, Inspector General at the Ministry of Interior of Yemen, signed the agreement, reaffirming both parties’ joint commitment to advancing a justice system rooted in human rights. The agreement outlines a series of initiatives aimed at improving the capacity of women officers, promoting inclusive institutional culture and expanding access to legal services for women and children.

The agreement signing took place in Amman and was attended by several dignitaries, including H.E. Jeannette Seppen, Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to Yemen; First Secretary Winta Veldman; H.E. Dr. Jalal Faqirah, Ambassador of the Republic of Yemen to the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan; and Brigadier General Dr. Abdul Khaliq Al-Salwi, Director General for International Cooperation at Yemen’s Ministry of Interior. 

The agreement stipulates the issuance of ministerial decisions to establish a dedicated branch of the Police Academy in Aden to train and qualify women police officers, under the supervision of the Deputy Director of the Academy. It further includes the establishment of a specialised unit to address cybercrime and electronic blackmail, with provisions to later expand it into a full-fledged department.

Both parties reaffirmed their commitment to advancing this strategic partnership through continued capacity-building efforts, the development of an institutional culture grounded in equality and non-discrimination and the adoption of human rights-based approaches within law enforcement. These efforts aim to support broader justice sector reform and improve access to justice for Yemen’s most vulnerable communities.