I Won’t Celebrate International Women’s Day 2024
I have been a feminist all my adult life. In my personal and professional life I have campaigned to fight discrimination against women.
But now I won’t be celebrating International Women’s Day 2024 as I choose not to identify with international women’s organisations.
You see, I don’t believe you can ever ‘contextualize’ rape. I don’t believe you can ever ‘contextualize’ sexual atrocities. I don’t believe that ‘by any means’ can justify the sexual brutalisation of women. And yet this is precisely what has happened regarding the rape, sexual atrocities and massacre of Israeli girls and women by Hamas on October 7th.
Now, 5 months after October 7th, a report to the U.N. Secretary-General by the Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict has finally confirmed widespread sexual violence by Hamas during its October 7 attacks, as well as ongoing sexual violence against Israeli women hostages.