Shattered Silence: Women History Month the Fight for the Silenced

In light of recent findings by the United Nations, the delay in addressing the humanitarian crisis has become inexcusably clear. Every moment of hesitation not only exacerbates the suffering of those currently held and subjected to unspeakable acts by groups like Hamas but also sets a dangerous precedent that threatens the safety of Jewish women and, ultimately, women worldwide. This procrastination emboldens perpetrators of gender-based violence, granting them a de facto impunity that could lead to an increase in such crimes. It sends a perilous message: that the international community’s response to clear violations of human rights, particularly against women, can be lethargic and disjointed.

This inaction is not merely a failure of moral duty; it is a direct endangerment of lives. Every minute we delay, every moment we remain silent, we not only fail the current victims, who, by all accounts, are enduring severe sexual and psychological abuse, but we also fail future generations who will live in a world where such atrocities can occur without swift and decisive retribution.

In light of Women’s History Month, this situation calls for more than reflection; it demands action. Our commitment to combating Islamic extremism and defending women’s rights in conflict zones must be immediate and unwavering. The international community must rally, transcending political and geographical divides, to dismantle the environment that allows such violations to continue. We must work collectively to ensure that not a single woman feels abandoned by those pledged to protect her. It is not just about saving those in immediate danger but about reinforcing a global stance that unequivocally condemns all forms of violence against women, thereby ensuring a safer future for all.

As we observe Women’s History Month, a disturbing contradiction emerges within the global “woke” community, traditionally vocal advocates for women’s rights. Yet, amidst the harrowing crises in Gaza, where women are victims to inhumane brutality—from forced sexual slavery to barbaric tortures like gang rapes and mutilations—a perplexing silence prevails. This silence is most conspicuous because the victims are Jewish women in Israel revealing a selective activism that betrays the very ethos of universal human rights.

The chilling video of Naama Levy, only 19 subjected to unspeakable brutality, stands as a stark emblem of the horrors faced by hostages in Gaza. Disturbing accounts from individuals like Chen Goldstein-Almog, herself recently released from captivity, unveil a pattern of sexual torment inflicted by captors, painting a grim picture of systematic abuse. These harrowing testimonies, corroborated by medical and military authorities, scream for global attention, yet they are met with an eerie silence from those who should be their fiercest advocates. Amidst this appalling silence, Aviva Siegel, another former hostage, tells  of degradation and assault, exposing a reality marred by violence and fear. This appalling indifference from movements like “Me Too,” which were born to amplify such cries for justice, underscores a disheartening betrayal. The silence is not just deafening—it is complicit, leaving victims like Levy and their harrowing stories in the shadows, while their oppressors remain shielded by global inaction and apathy.
This selective inaction is not just a betrayal of the Jewish women suffering at the hands of extremist groups like Hamas but also a profound failure to uphold the universal principles of women’s rights and human dignity. It’s an alarming trend that not only overlooks the suffering of specific groups but also empowers the very ideologies that hold no regard for the rights and freedoms championed by these activists.

In the chilling echo of Martin Niemöller’s poignant words, a stark parallel emerges with the current global inaction toward the women brutalized on October 7 and beyond. The silence and complacency of the global community in the face of extremist atrocities against Jewish women in conflict zones like Gaza mirror the grim warnings of history: “First they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—because I was not a Jew. Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.” This pattern of complacency mirrors the warnings from history about the consequences of silence in the face of injustice.

The lesson here is profound and urgent: if we continue to choose silence over action, to ignore the plight of those deemed ‘other,’ we invite a future where the horrors faced by these women become a broader societal norm. The very individuals and groups who stand with or ignore the oppressors, dismissing these acts as distant or unrelated to their cause, may one day find themselves facing similar atrocities, with no one left to speak for them. The regret of inaction, of not speaking out when there was still time, will be a heavy burden to bear.

In this light, the message for our times is clear: we must speak out and act against all forms of extremism and violence, regardless of the victims’ identity, to prevent a future where such brutality becomes a universal threat.

Shira Bibas, 32; Naama Levy, 19; Eden Yerushalmi, 24; Noa Argamani, 26; Daniel Gilboa, 19; Doron Steinbrecher, 30; Arbel Yehud, 28; Agam Berger, 19; Judy Weinstein, 70; Carmel Gat, 39; Liri Albag, 18; Amit Esther Buskila, 28; Romi Gonen, 23; and Karina Ariev, 19, These women, robbed of their liberty and languishing in the clutches of a barbaric ideology, are the embodiment of our collective failure. But their plight, searing in its injustice, must now fuel our collective outrage and action.

This Women’s History Month, let their stories galvanize a movement of indomitable will and unyielding resolve. It is time to shatter the complacency of the international community, to ignite a global uprising against the tyranny of silence. Let us channel our horror and heartbreak into a relentless force for change, rallying the world to demand their immediate and unconditional release.

I call upon you—every individual, every nation, every soul stirred by the call of justice—to rise in unyielding solidarity. Flood the streets, inundate social media, besiege the halls of power with our united demand: Free these women. Let no rest be found until the chains of their captivity are broken, until every last one of them steps back into the light of freedom.

Stand with us—fiercely, fervently, resolutely. For Shira, Naama, Eden, Noa, and all captives, let our united cry of defiance break the silence. Act now, because delayed justice is justice denied, and in their liberation, we will find our collective redemption. This Women’s History Month, pledge to amplify every voice against oppression and stand firm for every woman’s rights, regardless of background. We commit to ensuring No Woman Left Behind, guaranteeing all women’s safety, dignity, and freedom, and dismantling all barriers and biases. Only through this commitment can we ensure the well-being of every woman. As emphasized earlier, the danger of a double standard will do more than just come back to haunt us—it will erode the very foundations of our justice and humanity. Only by confronting and eliminating these contradictory practices will we genuinely protect every woman. This commitment is crucial, as its neglect endangers not just individual lives but the moral fabric and collective future of our society.