SISTERHOOD OF SALAAM SHALOM: WOMEN FOR PEACE OBSERVES WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH BY CALLING FOR AN IMMEDIATE HALT TO THE VICTIMIZATION OF WOMEN AND FOR OUR MEMBERS TO TAKE ACTION ON BEHALF OF ALL WOMEN AND CHILDREN
As the observance of Women’s History month continues, we at the Sisterhood of Salaam Shalom join in celebrating the unique ways that women walk through this world, manage themselves and others, weave relationships, and nurture family and friends.
We are also obligated to call out to the world the unique and ineffably painful place that women and girls hold as victims of conflict in any war zone where physical and emotional trauma, sexual and other gender-based violence have been used as weapons of war for millenia. As the only national organization in the U.S. that brings together Muslim and Jewish women of all ages in dialogue and relationship to promote peace, human rights, and end hate, we are in a unique position to reflect on what is unfolding in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories.
Women and girls have endured and/or witnessed atrocities and human rights violations such as killing, maiming, imprisonment and torture, indiscriminate bombardment, dehumanization, starvation, abductions, sexual violence, rape, kidnapping, and potential genocide. They, their children, and other family members will be traumatized for generations to come. We strongly condemn these grave offenses past and present against women and girls as a result of nearly a century of conflict in Palestine and Israel. As a Sisterhood, the pain of all women in this conflict is our pain.
We therefore call for an immediate and permanent halt to the violence against women and girls and making them the innocent casualties of war and conflict.
We call for immediate and permanent cessation of all violence and provision of sufficient humanitarian assistance and services to Gaza to end the suffering and starvation of all.
In light of this dire situation, we urge you to act immediately:
- Become a member of the Sisterhood of Salaam Shalom, so your voice can be heard;
- If you are a Sisterhood chapter member, take action to meet with your chapter and plan activities that further our mission and this statement;
- If you are a community or chapter member, join our online Vigil on April 7 at 2 pm, register now;
- Sign our petition for cessation of all violence, sign here;
- Basic sanitary supplies and diapers have become out of reach for the women and children of Gaza. Send needed supplies – individually or as a chapter – through Mother Health International* or USA for UNFPA.
Both of our faith traditions teach that to save a life is to save the world. It is upon us to take action to prevent further loss of life and harm to the women and children caught in armed conflict.
The Sisterhood of Salaam Shalom
March 22, 2024
*Mother Health International is a non-profit which provides midwifery care to women in areas where medical care is not easily accessible. They currently have a ship docked off of Rafah, where women and children can walk aboard to receive medical care and attention. These donations will be taken to the ship by midwives going to Rafah and will directly help those in need.
