This March, Hadassah leaders raised their voices at the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) meetings to advocate for women’s health, gender equity and holding Hamas accountable for the weaponization of sexual violence.
This year’s meetings celebrate the 30th anniversary of the adoption of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, considered the most progressive blueprint for advancing women’s rights and achieving gender equality.
During the CSW, the UN Commission of Inquiry (COI) released a biased report that failed to acknowledge Hamas’ weaponization of sexual violence. Read Hadassah’s statement on the report here.
Town Hall Meeting with Civil Society
Advocates attended a Town Hall with UN Secretary-General António Guterres, who commemorated the Beijing Declaration anniversary and spoke about the alarming rise in misogyny and threats to gender equality worldwide.
Frieda Rosenberg, Zionist Affairs Department chair, recognized something was missing throughout the week. “What stood out was the absence of a large forum that included a continued, loud outcry and demand for finding Hamas [accountable] for the brutality inflicted on Israel, especially the women and children — but of course the men, too. This was expected, but nonetheless, the silence was deafening.”
Improving Women’s and Children’s Health Through Innovation and Collaboration
Hadassah CEO Ellen Finkelstein moderated an insightful panel featuring Hadassah Medical Organization (HMO) professionals Dr. Esti Galili-Weisstub, founder of the Binational School of Psychotherapy; Dr. Hadar Rosen, director of maternal-fetal medicine at Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Center, and Dr. Donna Zfat-Zwas, director of the Linda Joy Pollin Cardiovascular Wellness Center for Women at Hadassah Hospital Ein Kerem.
Finkelstein highlighted the work being done at Hadassah hospitals to advance the Beijing Declaration and women’s equity, saying: “Through this remarkable research and care that continues even during a time of war, doctors and other healthcare professionals at Hadassah Medical Organization are working to tackle these dangerous gaps in women’s health head-on and build meaningful bridges to peace through exceptional health care to all.”
Hadassah Advocacy in Action
Throughout the week, Hadassah leaders engaged in many productive sessions, including an informative panel centered on the Equal Rights Amendment, and a discussion of Israel’s resilience throughout conflict.
Despite encountering severe anti-Israel bias and antisemitism, Hadassah advocates remained committed to sharing Hadassah’s efforts to end the silence around Hamas’ sexual violence.
“There was little mention of the massacre of October 7. Being there and speaking to representatives from around the world became my goal. If I were unable to discuss the horrors, truth and reality in a public forum, then it had to be on an individual basis,” said Jill Goldstone, vice coordinator of Hadassah’s Education and Advocacy Division.
Cheryl Sperber, United Nations team chair, emphasized the significance of strong Jewish and Zionist advocacy, saying, “We recognize that our presence at the UN during CSW is as important as ever, allowing Hadassah and other Jewish NGOs to witness firsthand how important our future advocacy efforts must be.”
Hadassah’s impact could be felt throughout the week, from discussions of critical women’s health issues to calls for accountability for terrorism.
Read Hadassah Op-Ed in JNS: Top priority in 2025: Holding Hamas accountable for weaponizing sexual violence
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