UN Women

UN report alleges Gaza war worsened sexual violence risks for Palestinian women

UNFPA concluded that Israel’s military response to Hamas had resulted in Palestinian women being subjected to violence by family members, members of the community, and others.

Palestinians attempt to extinguish a fire following an Israeli air strike that hit a vehicle in Gaza City, September 19, 2026.
A demonstrator wears a sticker over her mouth with the words "no execution" during a silent march denouncing the Iranian government's deadly crackdown on anti-government protesters in the Islamic Republic, in Paris on January 31, 2026.

‘Architects’ of Iran’s brutal Woman, Life, Freedom crackdown must face intl justice, Amnesty says

Afghan women prepare dough to make traditional cookies inside a bakery in Kabul, Afghanistan, May 5, 2024.

Half of Afghan women rarely leave home as Taliban restrictions deepen, UN agency says

Israel's First Lady Michal Herzog has used her global platform to confront denial and keep the issue of Hamas’s systematic sexual violence on the international agenda since October 7.

'Vast and systematic': Israel's First Lady Michal Herzog breaks silence on Hamas sexual violence


UN special envoy on sexual violence hears Gaza hostages' testimony

Patten visited the Hostages and Missing Families Forum on Wednesday and met with Israeli hostages who returned from Hamas captivity along with families of soldiers still in Gaza.

 UN envoy for sexual crimes in war Pramila Patten met with IDF officers and surviving hostages, January 2024

Kirby: Safe to assume Hamas is still weaponizing sexual violence

“Sadly I think it's safe to assume that they are still using sexual violence as a weapon," said United States National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby.

John Kirby, National Security Council Coordinator for Strategic Communications, answers questions during the daily press briefing at the White House in Washington, US, February 17, 2023.

Global women's organizations have failed Israeli women - opinion

In Israel 2023, there was a moment – a moment when they, the women of the world, were needed. But at that moment, our friends around the world disappeared.

 United Nations General Assembly Building, New York City

Israeli and Jewish activists take campaign for greater concern about Oct. 7 sex crimes to UN

The Israeli UN mission calling for investigations into reported sexual violence by Hamas on October 7th during a conference at the UN on Monday

 The Permanent Mission of Israel to the United Nations on Dec. 4 held a special session on sexual violence committed by Hamas during the terror attacks on Oct. 7.

Gal Gadot calls out the global silence on Oct. 7 violence against women

Gadot called on the world to break the silence on sexual violence committed by Hamas against women and girls on October 7th and in captivity.

 Tiffany & Co. Global Brand Ambassador Gal Gadot speaks during a ribbon cutting ceremony for reopening of the Tiffany flagship store on 5th Avenue in Manhattan in New York City, New York, U.S., April 26, 2023.

UN Women finally condemns Hamas attacks, sexual violence on October 7

Israeli FM Eli Cohen called on UN Women executive director Sima Bahaus to resign.

 Sima Bahous, Executive Director of UN Women, speaks during the United Nations Security Council meeting on the situation amid Russia's invasion of Ukraine with a focus on women, at the United Nations Headquarters in Manhattan, New York City, New York, U.S., April 11, 2022.