16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence

Marking the United Nations’ 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence (November 25 to December 10), Elluminate joined 69 Jewish and multi-faith organizations calling on the UN to recognize and declare the documented and systemic weaponization of sexual violence by terrorist organization Hamas against Israeli women on and after October 7th a crime against humanity.

“We urge you to take decisive action against gender-based and sexual violence in conflict by focusing your efforts on providing justice and accountability — including accountability for Hamas — to promote greater deterrence of gender-based violence in the future.”

The letter was delivered to Antonio Guterres, UN Secretary-General; Sima Sami Bahous, Executive Director of UN Women; and Pramila Patten, Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict.

“Elluminate prioritizes ending violence against women in all forms and in all environments,” said Melanie Roth Gorelick, Elluminate CEO. “We will use our platform and join coalitions to raise awareness and effect change, and we will support and elevate Jewish women leaders at the forefront of this challenge.”

Two of our Israeli Collective members — Orit Sulitzeanu, Executive Director of The Association of Rape Crisis Centers in Israel, and Tamar Shwartz, Executive Director of Women’s Spirit — have played a central role in the documentation of the violence, advocating for its recognition at the UN, and working with those who have been victims or retraumatized from this experience. We are proud to be able to support them at this difficult time.

To read Orit’s November 25th op-ed piece in The Jerusalem Post, “Beyond October 7: Tackling Everyday Sexual Violence in Israeli Society,” click here.