Meeting with Baroness Fiona Hodgson and Yemeni Political and Community Leaders on Strengthening International Engagement and Women’s Participation in Peacebuilding in Yemen, 17 June 2026

On 17 June, Forward Thinking convened a meeting in the UK Parliament between Baroness Fiona Hodgson, Sheikh Hammoud Saeed Al-Mikhlafi, Chairman of the Supreme Council for Popular Resistance, Ahmed Albakri, President of the Yemeni Community Association UK, and Abduljalil Khaled, Vice Chairman of the Yemeni Community Association UK, to discuss opportunities for strengthening international engagement on Yemen and amplifying Yemeni voices in UK policy discussions.

The meeting emphasised the importance of enabling Yemenis to shape international narratives and challenge misconceptions about the country by creating greater space for local perspectives, particularly those of women and communities directly affected by conflict. There is a need to elevate women’s experiences and leadership in peacebuilding and community resilience, while also enhancing the role of the UK Yemeni diaspora in fostering social cohesion, civic participation, and greater engagement in UK public and political life.

The discussion identified several potential avenues for strengthening UK–Yemen engagement, including parliamentary roundtables, Women, Peace and Security-focused discussions, and initiatives to connect policymakers with Yemeni women leaders and diaspora organisations to enhance understanding of developments on the ground.