Stand in Solidarity with Palestinian Women, Take Action to End the War and the Illegal Israeli Occupation of the Palestinian Territories
The International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, observed on November 25th, takes on special urgency this year as Palestinian women continue to face the worst forms of conflict-related violence and escalating hardships amid the ongoing war on Gaza and heightened settler-colonial oppression in the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem.
In the Gaza Strip, about 10% of the population has been killed, injured, detained or is missing, 90% has been displaced, and nearly everyone is now living in poverty and is suffering from deprival of access to essential goods and services to fulfill basic human needs, such as food, adequate shelter, clean water & sanitation, clothing, healthcare services, education, and work, as Israel continues to severely limit and obstruct humanitarian aid and any other goods and supplies from entering Gaza and reaching intended recipients. While constantly bombing and shelling civilian areas and infrastructure in Gaza, Israel has also escalated its settler colonial policies and increased the brutality of its repression in the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem, where the Israeli army and settlers collaborate on terrorizing the Palestinian population, confiscating lands, destroying trees and property, killing and maiming, and severely restricting movement.
Women bear the dual burden of gender-based violence and the systemic oppression of occupation and war. A recent DWRC study that examined the effects of Israel’s war on women’s exposure to violence & harassment in the Gaza Strip since October 2023, conducted by researcher Louay Joudeh, found that 93% of women surveyed were displaced, and 75.5% have been exposed to violence by the Israeli occupying power since the war has started. Women were exposed to multiple forms of violence; 95.3% had their homes destroyed, 62.3% lost children and relatives, 49.7% were subjected to ill-treatment by the Israeli occupation, 35.9% were injured, 14.6% were exposed to other forms of violence (psychological violence due to communications from the Israeli occupation, physical violence, deprivation from medical care and food), and 13.2% were detained. Shelters meant to provide safety have often become sites of further abuse, with 64% of women reporting violence, including harassment and exploitation at shelters, workplaces, and when receiving aid and other services since the start of the war on Gaza. Basic necessities are scarce: over 80% lack access to health services, psychological support, or legal aid, and 78% report the absence of safe spaces for women. Economic hardships compound these challenges, as 62% of employed women in our study sample lost their jobs during the war. Many are left without financial assistance or access to livelihood programs, deepening their vulnerability and undermining their resilience.
In the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, women have also faced increased insecurity in their homes and while commuting due to constant Israeli military operations and violent raids in Palestinian localities, especially at night, and the intricate network of hundreds of Israeli roadblocks, checkpoints and other barriers to movement, as well as constant Israeli settler violence. The overall stark increase of unemployment to 35% in the West Bank further limits women’s opportunities to enter or remain in the labor market and earn an income.
Palestinian women in Israeli prisons face equally harrowing conditions. According to recent reports, 94 women are currently detained, including three from Gaza. Human rights organizations have extensively documented Palestinian women detainees’ exposure to torture, medical neglect, and various forms of violence, including strip searches that amount to sexual abuse. Many are denied basic hygiene, privacy, and legal representation. Women from Gaza held in military camps are often forcibly disappeared, isolated from their families, and denied their most basic rights under international law.
In these devastating conditions, as their bodies, minds and souls are under constant violent attack, Palestinian women have continued to nurture and care for their families, seeking to ensure their survival and keeping hope alive despite the lack of resources and income.
As the world marks the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, the voices of Palestinian women must not be overlooked. Their struggles are a stark reminder of the intersection between gender-based violence and broader political oppression. Recommendations from advocacy groups and studies emphasize the need to hold perpetrators accountable, provide access to essential services, and seek international justice for Palestinian women. Addressing their plight requires a commitment to justice, equality, and ensuring the fundamental human right to live free from violence and fear. Thus, on this day, during the 16 days of action and beyond, we call upon you to stand up in solidarity with Palestinian women, speak out and act for the achievement of an immediate and permanent ceasefire in Gaza and Lebanon, to bring an end to the illegal Israeli occupation of the Palestinian territories as required by the ICJ advisory opinion, and support the full implementation of international resolutions and international law.
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