Sexual violence in wartime has a specific history, intent and effect. Understanding what is so different about gender-based war crimes is important, especially as we push for the international community to recognize and do something about it.

We are joined by Dr. Cochav Elkayam Levy, an Israeli expert in international law, human rights and gender, who recently addressed the UN’s Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW). In the face of exasperating denial and silence, she continues to lead efforts to agitate for the international community to acknowledge and take urgent action in response to the gender-based atrocities committed by Hamas on October 7th.

Watch Dr Cochav Elkayam Levy’s address to the U.N.’s CEDAW:

Gender-Based War Crimes in Hamas' Massacre in Israel Oct 7th 2023

Petitions to sign:

1. If you work at a women’s rights, human rights, victims' organization, or legal clinic, sign here.

2. If you are an international law or human rights expert, sign here.

3. If you are a concerned individual, woman, mother or grandmother, sign here.   Support and amplify women's voices by contributing to the making of this podcast: Donate now to the Center for Women’s Justice.

Our lives changed on October 7th in unimaginable ways. Hannah Wacholder Katsman joins us to grapple with a mother’s worst nightmare: learning of the murder of her son, Hayim Katsman, by Hamas terrorists at his home in Kibbutz Holit. Hannah’s colorful recounting of Hayim’s full and spirited life contrasts starkly with the brutal way in which it was cut short. 

Our heartfelt prayers are with Hannah and her family. May Hayim’s memory be a blessing.

Watch: CNN interview with Hayim’s neighbor Avital. Hayim died shielding Avital from bullets, saving her life. 

Read: Hayim’s rich academic legacy

Support and amplify women's voices by contributing to the making of this podcast: Donate now to the Center for Women’s Justice.

From battlefield to bomb shelter, from home front to hospital, from volunteer rosters to victims’ lists - women experience war in distinctive, gendered ways. These are their stories. These are their voices. Voices of Women at Wartime is an Israeli podcast that examines how women affect war and how war affects women. These are the unique perspectives and testimonies of women in their own words—a candid conversation that is sometimes hopeful, sometimes heartbreaking, and always essential as Israel navigates wartime. Hosted by Rachel Stomel and Rivkah Lubitch of the Center for Women’s Justice.

Support and amplify women's voices by contributing to the making of this podcast: Donate now to the Center for Women’s Justice.