A/HRC/45/CRP.7
secret detention facilities in Sana’a.411 Additionally, some girls in detention were subjected
to programs of indoctrination and training on Houthi ideology, their “responsibilities” as
girls, and on the “coalition threat”.
d. Organised child recruitment campaigns in girls and mixed schools
277. Like boys, girls’ education was used to incite students to violence and recruit female
students, as reported in 13 mixed and girls’ primary and secondary schools in five
governorates (Sa’ada, Hajjah, Sana’a City, Dhamar and Amran).412 For example, in one girls’
school, seven female students were allegedly recruited before they graduated, despite the
school being led by an “independent” principal.413
Roles: Recruiters, Spies, Guards, Medics and members of the Zainabiyat
278. Girls were used to enhance Houthi control over female domains of society, generate
future child recruits, and assist male combatants through various support and paramilitary
roles. Girl acted as recruiters (“educators”) of other children, spies, guards, medics on the
frontlines and, in some cases, members of the Zainabiyat. These roles appeared fluid,
allowing girls to play multiple roles at once; for instance, as guards, recruiters and spies
simultaneously.414 Girls with more formal roles, such as educators, guards or medics,
received one month’s training on weapons, first aid, military drills and Houthi ideology
entitled “Methods of the Quranic Path”. The girls were not expected to perform combat roles,
but weaponry skills were considered necessary.415 Some training entailed travel to
governorate capitals and were physically strenuous. Reportedly, one 16-year-old girl, who
had been forcibly married to a man 30 years older than her, was three months pregnant at the
time and miscarried during her training.416
279. Girls used as recruiters or “educators” spoke publicly in schools, universities, public
squares, and in private homes to spread Houthi beliefs and encourage further recruitment.417
Some of these girls were eventually promoted as assistant Zainabiyat to elder female family
members or Zainabiyat supervisors themselves; they then recruited and trained younger girls
and participated in arrests of adult women.418
280. At least five girls in two governorates were allegedly deployed as guards at a variety
of public buildings and private events, including alleged mass weddings of children of
martyrs.419 While most girls remained close to home, one girl reportedly was deployed to a
frontline as a medic for wounded Houthi combatants but did not participate in combat.420 At
least four girls were allegedly used as spies within their own communities, where they were
tasked to observe private conversations inside neighbours’ homes and to report individually
to their handler on others’ political opinions and activities.421
Sexual violence and forced and early marriage
281. Eleven of the 34 girls reportedly survived sexual violence and/or forced and early
marriage that resulted from or led to their recruitment.422 Girls are at risk of long-term trauma,
physical injury, and discrimination. While these cases could not be individually verified by
the Group due to protection risks, the concurrent violations of recruitment of girls, sexual
violence, and forced and/or early marriage warrant mention due to the significant suffering
and irreparable harm caused by the multiple violations.
411
See Gender and gender-based violence section.
Confidential sources on file.
413 Confidential source on file.
414 Confidential source on file.
415 Confidential source on file.
416 Ibid.
417
Ibid.
418 Ibid.
419 Ibid.
420 Ibid.
421 Ibid.
422 Confidential sources on file.
412
72
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