Arab Women Organization writes letter to UN Committee of CEDAW on Gaza

CAIRO - 16 October 2023: The Arab Women Organization wrote a letter to the United Nations Committee of CEDAW on Sunday on the deteriorating conditions in Gaza. 

The letter is below:

Dear sirs & Madams,

I am addressing you this letter on behalf of the Arab Women Organization to express our deep concern about the resurgence of blind violence after the clash between the Israeli army and Hamas in the District of Gaza. We urge you to act rapidly to ensure the application of the international conventions and the international law related to such armed conflicts where civilians from all sides and mainly women and children are particular targets of all forms of fire and violence.

While International efforts are more than ever needed to find an end to ongoing armed conflicts and wars, we are witnessing a sudden rise of violence against civilians, including women and children, resulting in a huge number of victims, and casualties among them in particular

In front of such a desolating situation, we feel very sad and astonished to see that  many media have been mobilised to galvanise spirits, increase hate and incite to the exclusion and killing of more and more Palestinians.

We are fully convinced that only dialogue and negotiations can bring sustainable settlement to reset a common life between people in belligerence. We urge the Committee to improve its intervention on the highest level of international decision making, correcting the partiality of news reported about this last confrontation, showing that civilians from all sides are being victims of such a blind violence and advocating for a rapid cease fire and an inclusive emergency relief plan to alleviate the suffer of all civilians, among whom women and girls are always a majority.

It is urgent to join our voices and especially join our efforts to protect civilians in such a time of war. 

Altogether, we can contribute to an impartial international vision and action to stop destruction and killing and speed up a cease fire and a long term sustainable and non violent settlement.

By its impartiality, the International Committee of CEDAW can make a difference and bring these nations closer to peace.

Fadia Kiwan  

Director General of the Arab Women Organization