Statement on International Day for Eliminating Violence Against Women
November 25th, 2023
On this International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, Justice For All Canada condemns mounting crimes against humanity inflicted on Palestinian women amid continuous indiscriminate bombardment committed by Israel. Despite a current “humanitarian pause” implemented after more than 40 days of air raids, we remain deeply troubled by the disproportionate impact on Palestinian women and children who have borne the brunt of the conflict.
“In addition to the genocidal rhetoric used by Israeli officials describing Palestinians as “children of darkness” and “human animals” we urge prevention and punishment of Israel’s reproductive violence against Palestinians in accordance with Canada’s responsibilities under the Genocide Convention,” expressed Taha Ghayyur, Executive Director.
According to ReliefWeb and the UN Human Rights Council, 67 percent of those killed in Gaza have been women and children as of November 3. The World Health Organization reported 420 children killed or injured every day in Gaza. Women journalists, medical staff, UN and humanitarian personnel have also been killed in the region.
The following human toll reveals the alarming gendered impact of Israel’s aggression and the dire situation faced by Palestinian women and girls;
Justice For All Canada denounces Israel’s relentless assault on the dignity of Palestinian women. The reproductive violence committed by Israel also extends to Palestinian children, newborns and infants, including the mentioned inhumane conditions for pregnant women, severely limited access to healthcare, and life-threatening situations during childbirth.
Under international conventions prohibiting torture and ill-treatment, such atrocities constitute grave assaults on the reproductive health, rights and physical integrity of Palestinian women and their children. The credibility of Canada’s commitment to international law and women's rights in conflict situations has diminished, revealing the government’s failure to act, as it has done for other victims of conflict.
We continue levelling the following demands to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, on behalf of vulnerable groups in Gaza;
Works Cited
"Women bearing the brunt of Israel-Gaza conflict: UN expert," published November 20, 2023, by UN Human Rights Council (UN HRC): https://reliefweb.int/report/occupied-palestinian-territory/women-bearing-brunt-israel-gaza-conflict-un-expert
On this International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, Justice For All Canada condemns mounting crimes against humanity inflicted on Palestinian women amid continuous indiscriminate bombardment committed by Israel. Despite a current “humanitarian pause” implemented after more than 40 days of air raids, we remain deeply troubled by the disproportionate impact on Palestinian women and children who have borne the brunt of the conflict.
“In addition to the genocidal rhetoric used by Israeli officials describing Palestinians as “children of darkness” and “human animals” we urge prevention and punishment of Israel’s reproductive violence against Palestinians in accordance with Canada’s responsibilities under the Genocide Convention,” expressed Taha Ghayyur, Executive Director.
According to ReliefWeb and the UN Human Rights Council, 67 percent of those killed in Gaza have been women and children as of November 3. The World Health Organization reported 420 children killed or injured every day in Gaza. Women journalists, medical staff, UN and humanitarian personnel have also been killed in the region.
The following human toll reveals the alarming gendered impact of Israel’s aggression and the dire situation faced by Palestinian women and girls;
- The closure of 64 percent of primary healthcare centers
- 117 attacks on Gaza’s health infrastructure since October 7.
- An estimated 50,000 pregnant women in Gaza are expected to give birth in dire conditions, and more than 180 women a day forced to give birth in inhumane, degrading, and dangerous conditions.
- At least 15 percent of these births are estimated to have complications requiring basic or comprehensive obstetric care, with several women who died before or during childbirth.
- Over 690,000 menstruating women and girls have limited access to menstrual hygiene products.
Justice For All Canada denounces Israel’s relentless assault on the dignity of Palestinian women. The reproductive violence committed by Israel also extends to Palestinian children, newborns and infants, including the mentioned inhumane conditions for pregnant women, severely limited access to healthcare, and life-threatening situations during childbirth.
Under international conventions prohibiting torture and ill-treatment, such atrocities constitute grave assaults on the reproductive health, rights and physical integrity of Palestinian women and their children. The credibility of Canada’s commitment to international law and women's rights in conflict situations has diminished, revealing the government’s failure to act, as it has done for other victims of conflict.
We continue levelling the following demands to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, on behalf of vulnerable groups in Gaza;
- The Canadian government must demand an immediate ceasefire in the region;
- Canada must enable decisive medical and humanitarian intervention, without further delay.
Works Cited
"Women bearing the brunt of Israel-Gaza conflict: UN expert," published November 20, 2023, by UN Human Rights Council (UN HRC): https://reliefweb.int/report/occupied-palestinian-territory/women-bearing-brunt-israel-gaza-conflict-un-expert