Ruaa Centre Empowers Women Community Leaders to Spearhead Climate Adaptation in Abyan

Under the theme “From Fragility to Resilience,” the Ruaa Centre for Strategic Studies, Consultations, and Training today continued the second day of its landmark training course designed to equip women community leaders in Abyan with the skills to lead climate adaptation efforts.

The program, supported by the Kingdom of the Netherlands and the Berghof Foundation, and supervised by the Political Development Forum, focuses on building local capacity to address the escalating challenges of climate change.

The second day featured intensive sessions led by trainer Yusra Sadiq, delving into core concepts of climate change, including climate hazards and risks, vulnerability, adaptive capacity, and climate sensitivity. A significant portion of the training was dedicated to the emerging concept of climate-conflict, exploring its types, causes, and how climate change intensifies competition over scarce natural resources like water and agricultural land.

In a statement, Dr. Jaklin Mansoor Al-Batani, Head of the Ruaa Centre, emphasized the program's strategic importance. “The continuation of this course underscores our commitment to women’s empowerment and their vital role in leading climate change adaptation initiatives,” Dr. Al-Batani stated. “We are building a deeper understanding among female leaders of the critical link between climate and community security, and how mismanagement of resources can trigger local conflicts.”

Dr. Al-Batani further explained that the centre’s goal is to move participants beyond theoretical awareness to practical action. “This program is designed to transition trainees from knowledge to initiative, actively contributing to community resilience and mitigating the effects of climate change in their local areas,” she added.

The training course is set to continue in the coming days with a strong focus on practical application. Participants will engage in hands-on exercises and sessions focused on building community initiatives and developing local adaptation mechanisms. The program will culminate in the creation of field action plans, ensuring the knowledge gained is translated into tangible, on-the-ground activities.

 Ruaa Centre is a dedicated institution focused on strategic research, advisory services, and capacity building to address pressing challenges and foster sustainable development in Yemen.