IWD 2022: Women in the lead in Doctors Without Borders

Khadija Al-Haj, HR assistant, Yemen

“Believe in yourself”

As a human resources assistant with Doctors Without Borders in Abs, Yemen, Khadija Al-Haj is

involved in every aspect of the hospital-based project. She encourages women to develop themselves professionally and have the courage to pursue their dreams.

As an HR assistant, Khadija Al-Haj is involved in a variety of activities at Doctors Without Borders in Abs, Yemen. © Doctors Without Borders

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I began with Doctors Without Borders / Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) as a medical interpreter.

Having HR as my career was very interesting for me from the moment I started with the

organisation, because I saw the HR team is participating in every single thing in the project. 

The HR department makes sure that the staff are the most qualified to do their medical and

humanitarian work. We organise, monitor and follow up on the work schedule with the supervisors

and make sure the trainings support the staff to work properly for Doctors Without Borders patients.

At the beginning, the main challenge for me was the social restrictions, because living in a

conservative community, the main perspective about the responsibility of the woman is being inside

the house, taking care of the family.

What really helped me was my family support, because they gave me their trust. Now I know many that are starting to encourage daughters, sisters, and wives to study and to have the opportunity to work, like me and the rest of the women. I regard myself as one of many examples nowadays, where we really change the community perspective about women and their role in the community. So that a woman can do, and can be responsible, for the same things as a man. And she can act professionally, whatever profile she has, whether HR assistant, nurse, or medical doctor. For me, being a leader means that you should be an example for those around you. It means to be the first among equals. And to do that, and to be that example, you have to equip yourself enough with the knowledge and skills that qualify you to create an environment for others, to inspire others to be part of that environment. So I tried to equip myself to be qualified for such a position. Since the moment I started—and even before—I really tried to study hard to learn everything related to HR.  I am doing online trainings that are supported by Doctors Without Borders and some external.

I’m now enrolled to study finance, because I also want to develop this side of myself. I have many

other future plans.  I consider myself one of the organisation’s ambassadors in my community. I am always trying to take opportunities from any gathering and to communicate, and also for the people around me, to communicate the Doctors Without Borders principles and values so the community will better understand Doctors Without Borders and the work the organisation does.

“What really helped me was my family support. Now I know many that are starting to encourage

daughters, sisters, and wives to study and to have the opportunity to work, like me.”

The 50-bed inpatient therapeutic feeding centre supported by Doctors Without Borders at Abs

Hospital in Hajjah, Yemen, has to expand to meet demand when malnutrition peaks. 

© Nuha Haider/Doctors Without Borders

“I regard myself as one of many examples nowadays, where we really change the community

perspective about women and their role in the community.”

In the busy emergency room in Abs hospital, Yemen, the medical team attends to two children, one

of them accidentally hit by a motorcycle. © Pau Miranda/Doctors Without Borders

Being a leader is a very interesting experience because it makes you feel very satisfied that you can

make a change within yourself and also make further improvement and development in others

around you, those who you are guiding and for best practices in the work. 

My message to all women is that you are really strong enough and smart. Try to stand up for your

dream and study hard. Work to be that good example and inspire those around you. Believe in

yourself and don’t even hesitate when the opportunity comes.

The ongoing conflict in Yemen has created one of the world's most devastating humanitarian

disasters. Hajjah has been one of the active frontlines over the years, resulting in casualties,

displacements and other consequences for the population. In Abs Public Hospital, Doctors Without

Borders in collaboration with Ministry of Health runs the emergency room, pediatric and neonatal

wards, maternity unit, inpatient therapeutic feeding centre, operating theatre, surgical ward and

post-operative care, isolation unit and mental health activities. Referral systems are in place for

patients requiring further medical care and to identify people who would otherwise find it difficult to

access care in the camps for internally displaced people and host communities. PremierMagazinePH

Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), also known as Doctors Without Borders, is an international, independent, medical humanitarian organisation that delivers emergency aid to people affected by armed conflict, epidemics, natural disasters and exclusion from healthcare. MSF offers assistance to people based on need, irrespective of race, religion, gender or political affiliation.

MSF's actions are guided by medical ethics and the principles of neutrality and impartiality.

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