In light of the horrific events of October 7, 2023, The Israel Women’s Network, Hadassah, ICJW, with contributions from The Dina Project, Jewish Women International, and NCJW, submitted this statement to the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) to express our profound concern over the alarming rise in conflict-related sexual violence. The statement highlights the widespread and systematic use of sexual violence as a weapon of war, referencing both global conflicts and recent atrocities. We stress the gaps in international law that hinder both prevention and accountability, calling for a unified global response to address this brutal reality. Despite the existence of various legal frameworks, they remain insufficient in delivering justice to survivors and holding perpetrators accountable.
In this statement, we advocate for the creation of a robust international protocol to standardize the response to conflict-related sexual violence. This protocol would ensure proper evidence collection, survivor support, and prosecution of perpetrators in line with international standards. It also emphasizes the critical role of social media in spreading disinformation and perpetuating terror, calling for its inclusion in future investigations.
By establishing clear guidelines, this protocol aims to bring justice to survivors and ensure perpetrators are held accountable. We also urge the adoption of a strong UN resolution to validate and globally implement this protocol.
