by Jennifer Padfield, FAUSA
Ambassador Gilad Erdan, Israeli Ambassador to the United Nations, reminded us that this event, hosted by Israel, was the first time since October 7, 2023 that any meeting was held at the United Nations regarding the hostages taken by Hamas. Sexual violence against Israeli women during the October 7 attack and additional reporting that make it clear that hostages have been raped and tortured. However, people aren’t screaming from the rooftops like they have in similar circumstances. Hamas has not been declared a terrorist organization by the Secretary General or the Security Council.
Merav Stern, Director General, Ministry for Social Equality and Advancement of the Status of Women explained the three pilars of Israel’s ministry:
1. Promoting women
2. Providing equal opportunities
3. Ending violence against women
The three pillars were initially set up to create equal opportunity in Israel and to develop a pre-qualified pool of women to fill government positions, which has now grown big enough that it will soon be available to business society to pull candidates from. She reiterated that financial independence is the key to women’s liberation. Anila Ali of the American Muslim and Multifaith Women’s Empowerment Council reminded everyone that the atrocities of October 7 are atrocities no matter what your religious background, and if these were Muslim women and children who had been taken, the right thing to do would be to stand up to see hostages released. She was one of the most moving speakers in all of the CSW events I have attended.
The keynote speaker was a woman who was taken hostage on October 7 along with her elderly parents (age 78) and her son (age 10). Her father was beaten and tortured before they were all taken to Gaza in their pajamas and no shoes. She detailed the harrowing experience of 10 people in a small room in a hospital, eating, sleeping and going to the bathroom. Everyone got lice. All the hostages released at the same time as her lost at least 10 percent of their body fat. They had no use of everyday essentials such as soap, toothpaste, etc. She was released on day 49 with her son and mother. Her father is still being held. When she returned home, she learned that her only brother was murdered.
Antisemitism is not stronger than feminism.
Sponsors of this Side Event: The Permanent Mission of the State of Israel, the Ministry for Social Protection and the Advancement of the Status of Women, Women's Spirit – Financial Independence for Women Victims of Violence, Devorah Forum, INSPIRE, American Muslim and Multifaith Women