We must unite to protect children in conflict, ensuring they are valued, safe, and given a chance for brighter future. Since October 2023, nearly 8,000 children have been killed in the Israel-Gaza conflict. Over 390 bodies, including women and children, have been found at Nasser and Al Shifa hospitals, showing signs of torture and executions. The blockade restricts essential services, worsening poverty and malnutrition among children. Nearly 70% of Gaza’s war dead are women and children, with 44% of victims being children and 26% women. The most affected age group is five to nine years old.

In Xinjiang, Uyghur children face forced labor, indoctrination, and family separation under Chinese government policies. Many are placed in state-run orphanages or boarding schools, cutting ties with their cultural, religious, and linguistic roots and causing severe psychological harm. They are pressured to learn Mandarin, and they have little to no Uyghur language education, eroding their identity.

Xinjiang, officially the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region (XUAR), is a Northwestern region of China where Uyghurs, a Turkic-speaking, primarily Muslim ethnic group, form a significant population.

Uyghurs detained in “re-education camps” are often forced into labor. From 2017 to 2019, at least 80,000 Uyghurs were moved under the government’s “Xinjiang Aid” program, which claims to provide jobs but appears to exploit Uyghur lives. Factories linked to brands like Nike, Apple, and Zara have been reported to use this forced labor. These actions may qualify as “crimes against humanity” under the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court.

Many Uyghurs endure indefinite detention, family separation, and heavy surveillance, including non-consensual collection of biometric data. Fear, restricted freedoms, and the loss of connection with loved ones mark life in Xinjiang.

The Ukraine-Russia conflict has claimed the lives of 1,957 children since 2022, with close to 2,000 injured. The war has disrupted education, healthcare, and protection services, causing widespread trauma and displacement. Millions of children experience loss, fear, anxiety, and psychological symptoms like panic attacks, flashbacks, and depression.

Over 7 million children have been affected by violence, family loss, displacement, and disrupted education. Tens of thousands have been forcibly transferred to Russian-occupied territories or deported to Russia and Belarus. Some are placed in Russian families, given new identities, or sent to “camps” for “patriotic education.” Efforts to return these children to Ukraine are obstructed by Russia, with fewer than 2% successfully reunited with their families.

Yemen’s civil war, ongoing since 2014, has created one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises. Thousands of children have died from malnutrition, disease, and violence, with 9.8 million in need of humanitarian assistance. Child soldiers are often forced into armed groups, and severe food insecurity affects millions of children.

The conflict has displaced 4.5 million people, over 75% of whom are women and children. Female-led households account for 26% of the displaced, with 20% of these heads of households under 18. Malnutrition is rampant, with 1.3 million pregnant or breastfeeding women requiring treatment for acute malnutrition.

An estimated 17.3 million people are food insecure, including 5 million children under five. Despite ongoing aid, conflict, economic instability, and weather challenges continue to worsen the crisis. Around 80% of Yemen’s population lives below the poverty line, with 21 million people, including 11.3 million children, requiring humanitarian aid.

Turkey faces criticism for its treatment of children living in prisons with their mothers, including over 759 children in adult facilities, 520 of whom are under six. These children endure unsafe, overcrowded, and unsanitary conditions, lacking access to adequate food, healthcare, and education.

Prison environments are ill-suited for children, with limited provisions such as toys, crayons, or safe spaces for infants. Many children share beds and meals with their mothers. Social and cultural isolation further harms their physical and mental well-being, making reintegration into society challenging.

Emotional tolls are severe, with many children experiencing breakdowns during or after prison visits. The situation highlights systemic neglect of children’s rights in these settings.

Since the Taliban’s return in 2021, Afghan children, especially girls, face restricted rights. Girls are banned from secondary education, leaving 3.7 million children out of school, 60% of whom are girls. Today marks 1,000 days since Afghan girls last attended school beyond the primary level, making Afghanistan the only country with such bans.

Economic crises have pushed many children into child labor or forced marriages. Teachers, especially women, face job losses, irregular pay, and restrictions, further destabilizing education. Child recruitment into armed groups and limited healthcare access worsen the plight of Afghan children amid severe food insecurity affecting millions.

Children face multiple threats, including recruitment into armed groups, sexual violence, and catastrophic hunger. Our message is clear: we must take concerted, collective action to turn back the tide of brutality and indifference and to ensure that children in conflict are better protected, valued, and given a chance for a brighter future.

BY AZRA OZCAN

We demand an end to the killing of women, especially in Gaza, and to violence against women around the world. The main theme of this year’s International Women’s Day is ‘Inspire Inclusion’, which emphasises the importance of diversity and empowerment in all areas of society. This also emphasises the vital role of inclusion in achieving gender equality. A key pillar of the theme is the promotion of diversity in leadership and decision-making positions. Women, especially those belonging to underrepresented groups, continue to face barriers when seeking leadership or representation roles. As we mark International Women’s Day 2024, we reaffirm our commitment to building a world where all women are empowered, valued and included in decision-making. By working together to break down barriers and promote diversity, we can build a more equitable and inclusive society for future generations.

However, we regret to remind you that today there is another problem that is much more important than women’s participation in social life: Not being able to keep them alive. Sadly, on 7 October last year, many innocent women were killed in a terrorist attack on Israel by a group affiliated with HAMAS, which rules Gaza. In addition, HAMAS is still holding many hostages, including women. Israel responded to this attack with a very violent war. The Israeli army bombed many civilian centres, including hospitals, and unfortunately more than 9,000 innocent Palestinian women were killed in 5 months. What is more tragic is that the world, states and international organisations have failed to stop this ‘genocide’. ‘Humanity’ should not remain so helpless while women and children are being brutally killed! On the occasion of International Women’s Day, we once again make an urgent appeal to all responsible persons and authorities: Stop this massacre, this ‘genocide’ as soon as possible!

Afghanistan is in the third year of Taliban rule and women’s basic rights are being restricted day by day. Women summarise their situation as “We are alive but not living.” In 2023, the Taliban introduced new restrictions on women and girls. Some of these are as follows: Women and girls are banned from receiving education from the 6th grade onwards, and in some areas they are not allowed to attend any school after the age of 10. Women’s work in national and international NGOs was suspended. Beauty centres were closed and women were banned from using gyms. In addition, women who do not wear the headscarf, as demanded by the Taliban, are arrested. It is our responsibility to stand in solidarity with Afghan women and ensure that they regain their basic rights.

In Iran, a new veiling law came into force in 2023, imposing up to 10 years in prison for women who dress ‘indecently’. Tens of thousands of women have had their cars confiscated as punishment for defying this ban. Others have been prosecuted, sentenced to flogging or imprisonment, or faced other penalties such as fines or ‘attending moral classes’. Some have been threatened with death or sexual violence. We demand that the Iranian government respect the rights of women and girls and take immediate action to stop this persecution.

Turkey has not performed well on women’s rights in recent years and the situation has worsened since 2021. Turkey withdrew from the Istanbul Convention, which it signed in 2011, by presidential decree in March 2021. This encourages impunity for crimes against women. For example, 334 women were killed by men in 2022, rising to 438 last year. In addition, for the last 10 years the Turkish government has been using ‘anti-terrorism laws’, which are not compatible with the ECHR, to silence dissent in the country. According to official statistics, nearly 100,000 women have been prosecuted under these laws since 2015 and more than 50,000 of them have been arrested. Some of those still in detention have not been released, despite the ECtHR’s ‘violation of rights’ judgement in 2023. Prisons in Turkey are overcrowded and women prisoners are subjected to inhuman treatment, including sexual harassment, strip searches and psychological torture. Sick, pregnant, infant and elderly women continue to be held in prisons in violation of the law. The international community should press the Turkish government to ensure that women and girls from vulnerable populations are provided with the support and resources they need to rebuild their lives.

The ongoing Russian occupation and war in Ukraine continues to have a devastating impact on women. According to UN figures, 80 per cent of the approximately 8.5 million displaced Ukrainians are women and girls. These women are often the targets of violence and sexual abuse. Tens of thousands of Ukrainian women serve alongside men in the army. Women who are not on the front line are under mental and physical pressure to care for their families and rebuild their lives. We must do everything we can to support women in Ukraine and ensure that their voices are heard.

We should not forget the impact on women of the restrictions on immigration imposed by Western countries. Many women are forced to leave home and family behind in search of a better life, only to face discrimination and hardship in their new countries. We must call on governments to do more to support these women and provide the resources they need to thrive.

On the other hand, the digital divide is greater for women and they are victimised by new forms of online violence and harassment. It is crucial to ensure that these technologies incorporate a human rights-first approach and prioritise the protection of women and girls on their platforms.

In conclusion, as we celebrate International Women’s Day, we have to remember that gender equality and women’s participation in decision-making and representation mechanisms is not a privilege but a fundamental human right. We must realise that we cannot achieve equality without eliminating gender-based violence. We must also recognise that no society can reach its full potential if half of its population is left behind.

On this day, we call on governments and other national and international organisations to take immediate action to address the many challenges and injustices faced by women around the world. Only then can we build a more just and equitable world for all.

December 10, Human Rights Day illuminates our identity, reminding us of our shared humanity, responsibilities, and the poetry of existence. In the heart of winter, as we are floating on the misty ocean of our collective consciousness the 10th of December emerges as the poetry of who we are, where we did come from, where we are going.

On this day, as we commemorate and observe Human Rights Day, we understand that when we, as humanity, forget who we are and where we come from, we risk beginning to cease to exist.

We may not see the dreams that cease to exist in the narrow alleys of Gaza, but those dreams become the stars that guide us in the spectacular ocean of our collective consciousness. Even though we do not understand the agony many individuals go through in Ukraine, the nation’s resilience becomes the boat on which we float. The suffering of the Uyghur Turks in China and their plight, marked by violations of fundamental human rights becomes the mist floating on the ocean of our consciousness.

As we mark the 10th of December, this day is a call to action, an invitation to stand in solidarity with those in the throes of conflict and crisis. It is a day to affirm our commitment to the ideals of justice, equality, and dignity for all.

In the heart of winter, December 10th stands as a beacon of hope, a reminder that even in the ongoing passage of time, we can embalm the virtues of human rights into our calendar of wisdom.

Let this day be a day of reflection on who we are, where we came from, where we are going, but also of resolve – a resolve to make the ideals of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights not just a poetry, but a reality for every person, in every corner of the world.

If this day does not become a day of resolve and reflection, then we would get lost like a waterdrop in an ocean.

As we approach International Women’s Day (8 March) this year, the theme of women’s equality is more urgent than ever. We have witnessed in the last year a backlash against women’s and girls’ rights and gender equality almost all over the world. We must come together as a global community to address the many challenges and injustices faced by women around the world if we want to attain our global goals of sustainable development and universal peace.

The COVID-19 crisis had already exacerbated pre-existing gender-based discrimination and violence. The world is yet to recover from the economic recession and change in employment practices that had a negative impact on women’s rights.

The recent Taliban takeover in Afghanistan has had a devastating impact on the rights and freedoms of women in the country. Women are being forced to stay at home and their access to education and healthcare is severely limited. Initial reports suggest that some 16 per cent of the women have lost their jobs after the takeover. The situation of women lawyers is particularly concerning as they are being hunted down by former prisoners released by the Taliban regime. It is our duty to stand in solidarity with these women and call for their rights to be protected and upheld.

In Iran, the ‘lift the veil’ movement has highlighted the systematic oppression of women in the country. The Iranian regime has been responsible for the deaths of many girls who have spoken out against the oppressive laws that restrict their freedom. Almost 1000 girls have been poisoned by toxic gas in Iran since the beginning of the protest, in what many believe is a deliberate attempt to force their schools to shut down and prevent the girls from reaching out to the public with their demands. We must demand that the Iranian government respect the rights of women and girls and take immediate action to stop these atrocities.

The Turkish government’s human rights record was already at the lowest of its history and much lower than any acceptable standard in a democratic society. Official statistics suggest that between 2015 and 2021, 97,721 women were tried under the anti-terrorism laws of Turkey, 24,945 of whom received prison sentences. Turkey’s antiterrorism laws are reportedly used to silence opposition in the country. Turkey’s prisons are overcrowded and women inmates are subjected to various forms of inhuman treatment, including sexual harassment, naked body search and psychological torture. Turkey’s resile from the Istanbul Convention encouraged impunity for crimes against women. Only in 2022, 334 women were killed by men and only a minimal number of these cases were solved.

The recent earthquake in Turkey and Syria has once again shown that women and children are often the real victims of natural or manmade disasters. There are already signs that the regime is discouraging civilian initiatives to participate and independently control the rehabilitation efforts. Access to social media has already been restricted in various locations. When an already authoritarian regime restricts participation and communication, there is enough reason to be concerned. The international community must put pressure on the Turkish government to ensure that women and girls of vulnerable populations are provided due support and resources they need to rebuild their lives.

In Ukraine, the ongoing conflict has had a particularly devastating impact on women. UN’s Refugee Agency’s figures suggest that 80 per cent of the displaces 8.3 million Ukrainians are women and girls. These women are often the targets of violence and sexual abuse and are left to bear the brunt of the war’s consequences. We must do everything in our power to support the women of Ukraine and ensure their voices are heard.

We must not forget the impact that western restrictions on immigration are having on women. Many women are being forced to leave their homes and families behind in search of a better life, only to face discrimination and hardship in their new countries. Even when the immigration stories that hit the newspaper headlines are about men, there are silent women and girls that will suffer the repercussions of those stories, unheard and unaided. We must call on governments to do more to support these women and provide them with the resources they need to thrive.

Women and girls lag behind by means of enjoying the developments in new technologies. The digital gap is wider for women and they are the victims of new forms of online violence and harassment. It is essential to ensure that new technologies incorporate a human rights-first approach and prioritise the protection of women and girls in their platforms.

In conclusion, as we celebrate International Women’s Day this year, let us remember that women’s equity is not a privilege, but a fundamental human right. Let us realize we cannot achieve gender equality without eradicating gender-based violence. Let us understand that with half of its population left behind, no society can reach its full potential.

We must stand together and demand that governments and other institutions take immediate action to address the many challenges and injustices faced by women around the world. Only then can we build a more just and equitable world for all.