Geneva, In light of the ongoing conflict, UN experts have called on Israel to immediately implement a ceasefire and adopt concrete humanitarian measures that prioritize the needs of Palestinian women and girls, following the International Court of Justice’s ruling on January 26, 2024. This appeal emphasizes the critical need for gender-responsive interventions in Gaza and the West Bank, amidst reports of significant disruptions to daily life, including schooling, housing, and access to healthcare.
According to Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, the UN experts outlined the dire situation faced by women and girls in the region, highlighting the near-total disruption of education, massive destruction of housing, and severe limitations on access to sexual and reproductive health care. The experts also expressed deep concern over the heightened risk of arbitrary detention and gender-based violence, as well as the disturbing reports of inadequate medical treatment in hospitals, including cases of surgery being performed without anesthesia.
To address these urgent needs, the experts have recommended six gender-responsive measures for immediate action by Israel: implementing a ceasefire, establishing a field hospital near Gaza to assist with medical needs such as pregnancy and amputations, ensuring the delivery of essential supplies, prioritizing menstrual hygiene and reproductive health care, building additional shelters and schools to prevent educational facilities from being used as shelters, and providing safe spaces and reparations for survivors of gender-based violence. These measures also call for the protection of existing hospitals and the opening of crossings for humanitarian aid and the movement of people, particularly the injured.
The recommendations represent practical steps towards mitigating the impact of the conflict on Palestinian women and children, in line with international human rights law and obligations. The experts stressed that adopting these measures would demonstrate Israel’s commitment to the protection of civilians and the respect of their human rights.