UN Women statements on the 7 October attacks
UN Women has not wavered in our support for all women and girls.
"Every act of violence against women and girls, including sexual violence, is unequivocally condemned, irrespective of the nationality, identity, race, or religion of the victims."
-- UN Women Executive Director, 25 October 2023 briefing to the UN Security Council
A snapshot of our speeches and statements with reference to the 7 October attacks include:
October
On 13 October, UN Women condemned the 7 October attacks, and raised the alarm about the devastating impact on women and girls, and called for the protection of all civilians and the release of all hostages.
In a speech at the UN Security Council on 25 October, the UN Women Executive Director denounced the deaths of more than 1,000 people killed in Israel in the 7 October attacks, condemned all reports of sexual violence, and expressed deep concern for the estimated 200 hostages, many of whom are women.
November
In a second Security Council briefing on 22 November, the UN Women Executive Director mourned the two mothers killed every hour in Gaza, and expressed alarm at reports of gender-based and sexual violence in the attacks on Israel, calling for thorough investigation.
In a separate speech that day, she reiterated UN Women’s calls for the unconditional release of all the hostages, many of whom are women, and an immediate humanitarian ceasefire.
December
In a statement on 1 December, UN Women unequivocally condemned the 7 October attacks and expressed alarm at “the numerous accounts of gender-based atrocities and sexual violence during those attacks” and expressed regret that military operations had resumed in Gaza.
January
In a statement on 19 January, the UN Women Executive Director marked 100 days of the conflict by noting that women and children were the first victims of the conflict, and condemning “shocking accounts of unconscionable sexual violence” during the attacks.
