Wameedh Shakir
Wameedh Shakir is a gender expert and women's rights activist with more than 15 years’ experience in gender analysis, human rights, legal protection, localization and peacebuilding. She is the Founder and Chairwoman of Itar Foundation for Social Development, an organization established in 2011 that works to empower Yemeni civil society and harness the power of partnership to encourage capacity development, advocacy and digital transformation. Much of her work and research has focused on violence against women and children, legal protections, how gender impacts economic empowerment, community development and equal participation, as well as NGO/CBO capacity building and humanitarian work. Ms. Shakir has previously worked on gender and women's rights as the Director of Gender Studies at the Sana'a Center for Strategic Studies, and with organizations like Oxfam, Community Livelihoods Project and the Women's Economic Empowerment Association.
Civil society, especially women's rights and women-led organizations, are the backbone of Yemeni humanitarian, peace, and development efforts. They provide essential humanitarian assistance, advocate for just and inclusive peace, and empower women and youth...Prioritizing gender equality and local women's leadership in humanitarian, development, and peacebuilding efforts is crucial.
At the Security Council
Wameedh Shakir, Chairwoman of Itar Foundation for Social Development, was invited to provide a civil society perspective and recommendations when the Security Council met to discuss the situation in Yemen in April 2024.