On the Occasion of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women The International Commission (ICSPR) Urges the international community to work diligently to compel the occupation government to halt its crimes against Palestinian women and provide them with protection

Date: 25 Nov 2024

Press Release
On the Occasion of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women

“The International Commission (ICSPR) Urges the international community to work diligently to compel the occupation government to halt its crimes against Palestinian women and provide them with protection.”

Today, November 25, 2024, marks the annual International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, recognized globally every year and established by the United Nations General Assembly during its 54th session in 1999, through Resolution No. (48/104) on the Declaration on the Elimination of Violence Against Women.

This commemoration comes amidst ongoing violence and genocide targeting Palestinian women by the Israeli occupation, which has persisted for over a year under the eyes and ears of the international community without any substantial action. Palestinian women face dire circumstances due to escalating Israeli violations, which blatantly disregard the principles and rules agreed upon by the international community to provide special protection for women during armed conflicts. These principles are enshrined in the Additional Protocol I of 1977 to the Fourth Geneva Convention of 1949.

Palestinian women are among the most affected by the genocide waged by the Israeli occupation against the Palestinian people in Gaza. Since October 7, 2023, the death toll in Gaza has reached approximately 43,922, including around 11,891 women and 17,385 children—70% of the victims are women and children. This underscores the systematic targeting of civilians, particularly women and children, by the occupation, with no regard for humanitarian or moral considerations.

According to the Palestinian Prisoners and Detainees Affairs Commission, 94 Palestinian women are currently held in Israeli occupation prisons. They continue to suffer violence at the hands of the Israeli occupation forces.

ICSPR emphasizes:
The targeting of women has been a prominent aspect of the Israeli aggression on Gaza, resulting in a 30% increase in female casualties, despite their limited movement and attempts to stay at home during the aggression. The killings have taken various forms, including deaths under the rubble of destroyed homes, in shelters, or during attempts to escape areas under bombardment. Approximately 25,000 women have suffered injuries causing lifelong disabilities.

Palestinian women also endure the horrors of forced displacement, homelessness, collective punishment, and starvation as part of the ongoing genocide. They bear the burdens of their families, especially in cases of losing a husband, father, or brother. They are deprived of their right to life, housing, and necessary healthcare, with violations affecting their privacy, particularly for pregnant, nursing, or ill women who require exceptional care.

ICSPR highlights:
The Israeli aggression has left devastating impacts on the health of women in Gaza due to a lack of hygiene supplies and reliance on primitive alternatives, affecting their physical well-being. Reports indicate that over 690,000 women and girls of menstruating age in Gaza face shortages in sanitary products. Furthermore, challenges in accessing clean water and private toilets—coupled with long waits for toilets in schools lacking sanitation standards—have increased the risk of infections and exposure to hepatitis.

Pregnant women bear compounded burdens, with an estimated 60,000 pregnant women in Gaza and over 180 giving birth daily, many in tents or shelters. These women suffer from malnutrition and dehydration due to food and water shortages, facing severe health risks. About 15% of these women are at risk of pregnancy complications and preterm births, which have risen by a third due to displacement and stress. Miscarriage cases have increased by 300% due to fear and trauma.

ICSPR notes:
The 94 Palestinian women detainees in “Damon Prison” face the harshest conditions in the history of the prisoners’ movement, including daily abuse, isolation, starvation, and deprivation of basic rights. They endure humiliating and arbitrary searches, including strip searches, a severe shortage of personal hygiene products, and inadequate clothing and heating supplies during the winter.

ICSPR calls:
ICSPR salutes all Palestinian women for their contributions to society and expresses regret over the continued international failure to act to stop the genocide and Israeli violations against Palestinian women. It reminds the world of the injustice suffered by the Palestinian people, particularly Palestinian women, due to systematic violence and collective punishment, reflecting the occupation’s blatant disregard for international law.

ICSPR calls on the international community to reflect on its role in ensuring the protection of human rights in Palestine and supporting the rights of Palestinian women who are oppressed and subjected to violence due to Israeli crimes and policies. It urges the United Nations Security Council, the High Contracting Parties to the Geneva Conventions, the State Parties to the Rome Statute, the UN Secretary-General, and the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights to pressure the Israeli government to stop its aggression, ensure the protection of Palestinian women, and guarantee the flow of humanitarian aid.

ICSPR also urges Palestinian governmental and official bodies to:

• Take necessary measures to enhance women’s participation and resilience.
• Pursue and hold accountable those responsible for crimes against women.
• Adopt clear policies to rehabilitate and assist female victims of violence.

End.
The International Commission to Support Palestinian Rights (ICSPR)