Out of School and in the Heart of Danger: A New Report Highlights the Voices of Marginalized Children in Yemen

Arabian Sea Newspaper - Special

Aden ((Arabian Sea)) Special: The National Union for the Development of the Poor (NUDP) today issued a new report revealing the devastating impact of poverty, discrimination, and displacement on the lives of marginalized children in Yemen, many of whom are denied education and forced into hazardous work to secure a livelihood. This report is based on real stories from the children themselves, as these testimonies highlight the daily suffering that is not reflected in statistics, but rather gives a human face to the experiences of marginalized children seeking education and a decent life despite the difficulties. The report, entitled "Out of Schools and in the Heart of Danger: Voices of Marginalized Children," collects direct testimonies of children who face exclusion, humiliation, and danger on a daily basis simply because of their identity and circumstances. Although the decade-long conflict in Yemen has affected all Yemenis, the marginalized – often contemptuously referred to as "Akhdam" – remain among the most marginalized and vulnerable groups. "We work because we have to. We want to go to school, but we have no choice," say Lama and Amal, two young sisters in Lahj Governorate, who search for scrap metal amidst the remnants of war to help their family. The report indicates that marginalized children are three times more likely to drop out of school compared to their peers, with an estimated 98% of them not completing primary education. Discrimination, administrative obstacles, forced displacement, and harmful social customs – especially those related to the role of girls – exacerbate their marginalization. For girls, education is often replaced by early marriage. Ghada (18 years old) from Al Dhale'e says: "People say that if a girl learns to read and write, that's more than enough." However, Ghada defied these difficulties and completed her secondary education, and dreams of becoming a midwife. The report also presents examples of hope and resilience. Children like Khalil (16 years old) are demanding change. Khalil says: "Education is the only way to change people's perception of us. If marginalized children can become teachers, doctors, and lawyers, people will have to respect us." The National Union for the Development of the Poor calls on local authorities, donors, and humanitarian actors to prioritize the rights of marginalized children and remove the obstacles they face in accessing education and the protection risks resulting from dropping out of education, including: Ensuring access to inclusive and safe education for marginalized children Reforming civil documentation procedures to prevent them from being denied enrollment in schools Expanding financial support programs and flexible education options for displaced children Strengthening child protection services to prevent them from being exposed to hazardous work Launching community dialogues and awareness campaigns to combat discrimination Fatima (18 years old), who teaches dozens of children and mothers in her village, says: "For marginalized children, education is a shield for marginalized children." Salah Dabwan, Secretary-General of the National Union for the Development of the Poorest Groups, says: "The issue of educating marginalized children is one of our top priorities. These children suffer from extreme poverty, marginalization, and continuous discrimination that deprives them of their basic right to education. Many of them are forced to work in the streets, such as collecting scrap metal, cleaning, and begging, which exposes them to physical risks and daily exploitation. We are committed to working with partners to ensure that every child in Yemen has a fair opportunity to learn and build a better future for themselves and their families." This report is the result of an effort to strengthen advocacy capacities undertaken by Save the Children International, funded by the European Union. The National Union for the Development of the Poorest Groups (NUDP) is a voluntary civil organization founded in 2007 by more than fifty civil society organizations to represent the marginalized in Yemen. The Union works to combat discrimination and promote equal citizenship, and aims for a society in which all individuals enjoy social well-being without class barriers. Its mission is focused on empowering marginalized groups to claim their rights and participate fully in public life and decision-making.