In a quiet corner of Al-Turba, Taiz—a town that has witnessed the weight of displacement, war, and uncertainty—something powerful began to bloom: opportunity.
Among the many young women who had been displaced by conflict, hope had started to feel distant. These were women whose dreams had been put on hold by war, whose voices had been dimmed by loss, and whose ambitions had no place to grow. But that began to change when they joined the Dukan Project, an initiative led by YODET to support and empower 50 displaced and conflict-affected young women between the ages of 18 and 30.
The goal was clear: help them build a new future through entrepreneurship, powered by innovative technology and skills that matter in today’s digital world.
Through the program, these women were trained in digital marketing, financial literacy, business planning, legal awareness, soft skills, and accessible tech tools. The trainings didn’t just teach them how to start a business—it taught them how to believe in their potential again. It gave them the language of resilience, self-worth, and leadership.
From the many powerful ideas that emerged during the incubation phase, six startups were selected for full financial and technical support. Each received a grant of $5,000 and six months of incubation to transform their ideas into real, impactful businesses.
One shining example is Ajwaa Coffee, a women-led startup created by participants from rural areas. It’s not just a café—it’s a safe space for local women, a cultural hub that celebrates Yemeni cuisine, and a small economic engine in a town recovering from crisis. Visitors come for the coffee, but they leave with admiration for the strength and creativity of women who refused to be left behind.
For these women, economic empowerment is not a luxury—it’s a necessity. In a context where women bear the brunt of war’s consequences, supporting them to become business leaders means supporting families, communities, and the country’s path to recovery.
YODET’s Dukan Project is more than an initiative—it’s a declaration: that displaced women are not victims, but visionaries. That even in displacement, dreams can be redesigned. And that with the right support, a young woman in a conflict zone can not only survive—but thrive.
