Public PhD Viva-Voce Examination of Mr. Mohammed Ahmed Hussein Abu Huriah, from the Department of Sociology, Faculty of Arts & Humanities – Sana’a University
Mr. Mohammed Ahmed Hussein Abu Huriah has awarded the PhD Degree majoring in Sociology of Childhood, from the Department of Sociology, Faculty of Arts & Humanities – Sana’a University. His dissertation, titled “The Role of Formal and Informal Social Welfare Institutions in Protecting Children During the War: Yemeni Society as a Case in Point,”was defended on Sunday, Ramadan 23, 1446 Hijri corresponding to March 23, 2025.
The Viva-Voce Committee, which was formed based on a resolution issued by the Post-Graduate Studies and Scientific Research Council, consisted of the following:
1. Prof. Mohammed Saeed Mohammad Al-Kamil, Main Supervisor, Sana’a University, Member.
2. Prof. Dhikra Abduljabbar Abdulwahid Al-Areeqi, External Examiner, Taiz University, Member.
3. Prof. Adel Mujahid Al-Sharjabi, Internal Examiner, Sana’a University, Chair.
The primary objective of the dissertation was to analyze the contributions of formal and informal social care institutions to the protection of children during the war in Yemen. It focused on exploring the demographic, social, and economic changes impacting Yemeni families, their fragmentation, and the evolution of family functions.
In his dissertation, the researcher proposed several significant conclusions, the most notable of which include:
1. The conflict in Yemen has profoundly affected children across psychological, social, economic, educational, and health domains.
2. Social care institutions face significant limitations in providing adequate services and social protection for children during the war.
3. While some efforts by these institutions are evident—including psychological and social support, basic needs, education, social care, and health-related services—they remain insufficient due to various challenges.
4. Yemen’s social protection system lacks a long-term, sustainable strategy and suffers from capacity deficits among key stakeholders.
The dissertation also proposed several recommendations, including:
1. Formulate a comprehensive strategy to address the primary challenges confronting Yemen’s social protection system.
2. Enhance the capabilities of formal and informal institutions involved in social care and protection.
3. Develop effective legislation and systems to strengthen social protection in Yemen.
4. Establish emergency social protection units within official institutions to identify and support vulnerable cases, ultimately improving policies and program designs.
The Viva-Voce was attended by several academics, researchers, students, and several colleagues and family members of the researcher.
A video from the Viva-Voce
