On this Human Rights Day, the Women Against Violence Europe (WAVE) Network affirms its steadfast commitment to safeguarding the rights of all civilians globally, through our work within Europe. We place particular emphasis on upholding the rights of women, children, and vulnerable groups who endure heightened vulnerabilities during times of peace and especially in periods of conflict and war.
As we near the conclusion of 2023, we acknowledge the prevalence of ongoing conflicts globally, spanning across countries such as Ukraine, Afghanistan, Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Mexico, Haiti, Armenia, Azerbaijan, and notably, the recent escalation in the longstanding conflict between Israel and Palestine[1]. These conflicts challenge our collective dedication to defending human rights, especially the rights of women, amidst the most challenging conditions.
As a feminist network, WAVE confronts the formidable task of advancing women’s rights in the face of global opposition to gender equality[2], compounded by the enduring structures of patriarchy, most prominently represented in times of war. In this context, we assert the necessity of adhering to the principles outlined in the Geneva Conventions on the rules of war[3]. These fundamental frameworks lay the groundwork for safeguarding civilians, including women and children, during armed conflict. The rules of war demand the protection of all civilians from violence and discrimination.
Amidst many conflicts, the breach of these principles leads to heightened suffering and the violation of basic human rights, particularly impacting women and children. The plight of innocent children remains particularly distressing. According to UNICEF’s monitoring since 2005, regions plagued by armed conflicts have witnessed a staggering number of grave violations against children, with over 300,000 documented cases, encompassing harrowing repercussions[4]. In the realm of conflict, the repercussions for women are too deeply concerning. Crises have a disproportionately harsh impact on women exacerbating gender-specific discrimination, especially those from marginalized or low-income communities, amplifying pre-existing vulnerabilities.
Moreover, the undeniable link between gender-based violence against women and armed conflicts heightens the risk of physical, psychological, and sexual harm. Regrettably, rape and sexual violence are frequently wielded as weapons of war, inflicting profound trauma on survivors and perpetuating vicious cycles of violence[5]. The consequences of armed conflict on women are multifaceted, with an alarming increase in the number of women and girls affected. According to UN Women, over 600 million women and girls lived in conflict-affected countries in 2022, marking a 50% increase since 2017[6].
As feminist activists advocating for women’s rights, on Human Rights Day, we assert our commitment to a human-centered approach in defending all women affected by conflict[7]. We echo the significance of adopting this approach, particularly in supporting the UN Women Peace and Security (WPS) agenda—pioneered 23 years ago by the UN Security Council’s resolution 1325, the first of the ten UN resolutions that placed women at the forefront of the global peace and security agenda.
WAVE firmly believes that prioritizing the basic needs and human rights of all women and civilians impacted by conflicts is not merely a humanitarian imperative but a fundamental step in preserving human dignity during adversity. Consequently, we denounce all forms of violence and violations of women’s human rights during wartime, such as hindering access to essential services like shelter and healthcare.
We emphasize the urgent necessity to dismantle barriers impeding the provision of vital services and ensure the well-being of all civilians, with special attention to women and children. Their denial of basic needs amidst conflict heightens health risks, malnutrition, lack of security, increased exposure to violence and exploitation, psychological trauma, and displacement. This displacement exposes women and girls to increased risks of exploitation, human trafficking, and additional gendered forms of violence.
As a feminist network dedicated to preventing and combating violence against women, WAVE will persist in advocating for European-wide gender-sensitive humanitarian aid, integrating gender-sensitive protection measures, and pushing for feminist national, regional and foreign policies that prioritize women’s rights and empowerment.
Human Rights Day serves as a reminder of our unwavering commitment to defending the rights of all individuals, especially women, amidst conflicts and crises. Together, let us strive towards a future where women’s rights are upheld and where conflicts no longer perpetuate gender-based violence and discrimination[8].
[1] Amnesty International. (October 2023). The escalating conflict in Gaza and Israel. Retrieved from: Amnesty International – The escalating conflict in Gaza and Israel.
[2] Human Rights Watch. (March 7, 2023). Global Backlash Against Women’s Rights. Retrieved from: HRW – Global Backlash Against Women’s Rights.
[3] International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). (n.d.). Geneva Conventions of 1949 and Additional Protocols. Retrieved from: ICRC – Geneva Conventions of 1949 and Additional Protocols.
[4] World Health Organization. (October 18, 2022). Staggering backsliding across women’s, children’s, and adolescents’ health revealed in new UN analysis. Retrieved from: WHO – Staggering backsliding across women’s, children’s, and adolescents’ health.
[5] Smith, S., & Johnson, E. (2023). Sexual Violence as a Weapon of War: Understanding the Continuum of Gender-Based Violence. Journal of Gender-Based Violence. Retrieved from Sexual Violence as a Weapon of War – Journal of Gender-Based Violence.
[6] UN Women. (October 2023). Women are increasingly at risk in conflict, underrepresented in peace processes according to UN Secretary-General report. Retrieved from: UN Women – Women are increasingly at risk in conflict.
[7] The human-centered approach in UN resolutions signifies a fundamental shift towards prioritizing the needs, rights, and well-being of individuals affected by conflicts or crises, which began notably with the adoption of UN Security Council Resolution 1325 in the year 2000. This approach emphasizes placing humans, particularly vulnerable groups such as women and children, at the forefront of decision-making and policy formulation. This approach considers the unique impact of conflicts on individuals and aims to ensure their protection, access to essential services, and dignity amid adversity. The shift in UN resolutions reflects a departure from traditional state-centered approaches to one that places human welfare and rights as a primary consideration in addressing global challenges, advocating for interventions that directly benefit and empower affected populations. This evolution aimed to humanize global responses to conflicts and crises, challenging the dominance of militarization and security-oriented strategies in UN resolutions.
[8] WAVE acknowledges the pressing need for crisis response initiatives, particularly from a feminist perspective. However, WAVE clarifies that it is not a humanitarian or crisis response organization. Specific organizations specialize in addressing crises through gender-sensitive and feminist approaches, playing a pivotal role in meeting the acute needs of women and girls in conflicts and wars.
