Women's Environmental Awareness Exhibition "Journey of Survival" Launched in Aden to Promote Sea Turtle Conservation and Women's Empowerment

The activities of the women's environmental awareness exhibition "Journey of Survival" were officially launched on Monday afternoon at Aden Mall in the capital, Aden. The exhibition is organised by the Ruaa Centre for Strategic Studies, Consultancy and Training as part of the "Save the Sea Turtles in the Gulf of Aden" project, with support and funding from the Environment Protection Authority (EPA), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the Global Environment Facility (GEF), and the Small Grants Programme (SGP).

The opening ceremony was attended by Ms. Ishtiaq Mohammed Saad, Undersecretary for Women's Affairs in Aden, and Eng. Niazi Mustafa, Director General of the Environment Protection Authority in Aden, alongside government officials, representatives of civil society organisations, and environmental stakeholders.

In her opening remarks, Dr. Jaklin Al-Batani, President of Ruaa Centre, stated that the exhibition forms part of the Centre's ongoing efforts to strengthen environmental awareness while highlighting the vital role of women in protecting the environment, conserving sea turtles, and safeguarding their natural habitats. She emphasised that women are key partners in promoting environmental responsibility and encouraging community participation in the protection of natural resources.

Dr. Al-Batani added that the exhibition reflects the strong link between environmental conservation and women's economic and social empowerment by providing a platform for women's associations to showcase their handicrafts and home-based products, thereby supporting sustainable livelihoods and reinforcing the principles of sustainable development.

Running over two days, the exhibition aims to raise public awareness of the importance of protecting sea turtles, biodiversity, and coastal ecosystems, while encouraging environmentally responsible behaviour and highlighting women-led and community-based environmental initiatives.

The exhibition features the participation of several women's associations and civil society organisations, presenting handicrafts, traditional products, and home industries, alongside interactive educational displays covering the life cycle of sea turtles, the major threats they face, and the importance of reducing pollution and protecting coastal ecosystems.

Visitors toured the exhibition's various sections, where they explored environmental initiatives, community projects, and products reflecting the creativity and skills of local women and their contribution to supporting the local economy. The event attracted significant public interest and positive engagement from visitors.

The "Journey of Survival" exhibition is one of the flagship activities of the "Save the Sea Turtles in the Gulf of Aden" project, which seeks to enhance public awareness of the importance of protecting sea turtles and their habitats, strengthen community participation—particularly that of women—in biodiversity conservation and coastal environmental protection, and contribute to achieving sustainable development goals across the country.