Yemeni Women Union (YWU) is one of the oldest and largest volunteerism organizations in Yemen. It is an independent organization and it represents all women in Yemen. The YWU’s ambition is to improve the social and economical reality of women.  It is trying to guarantee justice for women and empower them so they would be able to fight for their rights and to participate effectively as partners in the developmental process.
YWU is Special Consultative status with ECOSOC
YWU is where women go when they need help whether it was legal help or social help.  It is also a supporter of the developmental and democratic participation of women and it is helping women all over Yemen to obtain their constitutional and legislatives rights that the Yemeni laws entitle them to have.

Yemen Women’s Union (YWU) was formed in 1990, as a result of a merger between the General Yemen Women’s Union and the General Union of the Yemeni Women, following the unification of North and South Yemen. The objectives of the YWU are based around the promotion of women and women’s interests both at home and abroad, in line with Islamic teaching. Presently, YWU has 21 operational branch. There are around 145 centers which offer services to the YWU membership and beneficiaries  in the districts and in  each governorate so women in rural or remote areas can use the services of these centers

The YWU as a non-governmental women’s organization has potentially good name recognition and acceptance throughout the country. One of the most important organizational characteristics of the YWU is its potential capacity to incorporate volunteerism into its organizational structure.

YWU is the main umbrella for the civil society associations that are participating in implementing the National Strategy of Poverty Elevation.  It is also a main member in many national and international organizations.

In September 2003, an election was held at all the YWU’s branches and centers. A new administrative body was elected under the leadership of the Executive Office of the Union. This gave the YWU its legal status under Yemeni laws.