Nesmah Mansoor: Yemen, Peace and Climate Justice

Hey Changemaker!

Nesmah Mansoor is a Women's Peace and Security expert and a Co-founder of the Peace Track Initiative, currently serving as their Policy and Communication Senior Officer. She specializes in the intersection of peacebuilding and climate justice and is Peace Track Initiative’s focal point for Feminist Climate Justice issues. Nesmah is also pursuing a master's degree in International Relations at Inalco, Paris, with a focus on Security Studies.

In this episode Nesmah and I speak about Yemen. She shares her journey as a changemaker, from challenging gender norms as a child to using her voice to raise awareness about the situation in Yemen. She gives us a very clear and comprehensive overview of the complex history of Yemen, including the civil war and the impact on the people, particularly the internally displaced persons (IDPs).

Nesmah emphasizes the dire humanitarian crisis in Yemen and the challenges faced by IDPs, including lack of access to clean water and sanitation.

We talk about the Houthis involvement in the issue of Palestine and the ongoing genocide in Gaza, through their attacks on ships in the Red Sea. She addresses the misconception that the Houthi rebels are heroes, highlighting their primary role in the conflict that has killed hundreds of thousands of Yemenis and currently continue to violate human rights.

"Militarization is the elephant in the room," Nesmah says as we discuss the interconnectedness of peace, climate change, and justice movements. She emphasizes the importance of understanding the root causes of conflicts and the impact of militarization on both peace and the environment. Nesmah also highlights the resilience and activism of women in Yemen and their role in peacebuilding.