This year’s International Women’s Day, observed on March 8, is marked by a call for justice for women affected by conflict, particularly in Israel. The focus is on Shiri Bibas, a mother whose abduction by Hamas during the October 7 attacks became a haunting image of the violence. For 503 days, her fate was unknown until Hamas returned her remains, along with the bodies of her children, who had been killed.
The brutality of Hamas did not end with murder. The group has continued its psychological warfare against hostages, especially women. During hostage exchanges, Hamas has staged public "release ceremonies," showcasing female captives as trophies, surrounded by armed men who taunted and cheered. Despite these horrors, many international organizations and women’s rights groups have remained silent.
As activists rally around the theme of “Accelerate Action” for this International Women’s Day, questions arise about the commitment of global institutions to advocate for all women. How can anyone genuinely concern themselves with women’s rights while ignoring the plight of Israeli women who have suffered abduction, sexual violence, and murder?
Evidence from survivors and rescue teams points to the horrific sexual violence inflicted on Israeli women during the October 7 attacks. This violence was not only reported by victims but was also broadcast by Hamas. Despite this, the United Nations and various women’s advocacy groups have been slow to acknowledge the suffering of Jewish and Israeli women. It took nearly two months after the attacks for the UN Women executive director to mention reports of gender-based violence, failing to specify that these acts were perpetrated by Hamas.
The lack of acknowledgment extends to feminist organizations, many of which have downplayed or dismissed reports of sexual violence. Some activists have even labeled these reports as "Israeli propaganda." This selective outrage raises concerns about the true commitment of these organizations to universal human rights.
Funding from Western democracies, including the United States and European countries, supports many NGOs that have been accused of downplaying the suffering of Israeli women. This includes the Palestinian NGO MIFTAH, which has denied the systematic rapes and referred to them as misinformation.
The UN’s Independent International Commission of Inquiry has also shown bias, acknowledging patterns of sexual violence by Hamas but denying that militants were ordered to commit such acts. This double standard undermines the credibility of international human rights institutions.
The article emphasizes that if Shiri Bibas had been from a different background, the response from global organizations would likely have been different. Historically, women’s rights organizations have stood for justice for all victims of violence, regardless of nationality. However, their response to the Gaza conflict reveals a troubling trend of political convenience over genuine advocacy.
As International Women’s Day approaches, there is a pressing need for these organizations and their funding bodies to hold accountable those who have failed to address the suffering of Israeli women. True advocacy for women’s rights should not be selective. If the international community truly cares about gender-based violence, it must demand accountability from organizations and reconsider funding for those that deny the reality of these victims.