Saferworld condemns the killing of Yemeni women's activist Iftehan Al-Mashahri

Saferworld strongly condemns the horrific killing of women’s activist Iftehan Al-Mashahri in Taiz, Yemen, on 18 September 2025.

Iftehan, head of the governate’s Cleaning and Improvement Fund, was brutally assassinated: 30 bullets tore through her car, her life and the dreams she carried for her city. She was an activist and a member of the Wahag Women's Hub – which works to support women leaders and advocates for their inclusion in peace processes and civil society spaces in Yemen – where she had a significant impact.  

“Iftehan was not just a public official strongly committed to women’s rights and equality; she was one of the few feminist figures who led with unwavering integrity, courage, care and boundless dedication. She poured her heart into serving her community, and her honesty and devotion were recognised by all who knew her”, said Saferworld’s Yemen programme team. 

“Her killing is not only a crime; it is a bleeding wound in the soul of Taiz and in every defender of rights and freedoms – a tragedy for all who believe in justice, dignity and equality.”  

In Yemen, the space for women’s rights and leadership has been steadily shrinking amid deepening conflict, patriarchal control and political repression. Women who dare to defy traditional gender norms by speaking out, organising, leading or simply claiming their rights often face harsh reprisals. Iftehan is one among many women across Yemen and the region who have risked everything to challenge the status quo. Her brutal killing is part of broader patterns of systematic pushback against women’s rights and gender equality. And yet, despite the risks, Yemeni women continue to lead, resist and organise, shaping their country’s future with courage and determination. 

Saferworld CEO Susana Klien stated, “We are heartbroken and horrified to learn of Iftehan’s assassination and wish to express our deepest condolences to her family and all those who knew and loved her. Iftehan, like so many strong women before her, became the target of relentless smear campaigns, vilification and hatred due to her work to change the realities for women in her city and country. Those campaigns ended her life yet reflect the need to continue to push back and support safe spaces and projects for women and women’s rights organisations in Yemen. It is also a sobering reminder of the importance and responsibility that organisations and funders have in terms of prioritising women’s safety and security, which requires not only resourcing but also political back up.”