Ms. Melanne Verveer
Executive Director of Georgetown Institute for Women, Peace and Security
Comments regarding Recent Statements Made by
Honorary Founding Chair Mrs. Hillary Rodham Clinton
Dear Ms. Verveer,
I am writing on behalf of the Arab Renaissance for Democracy and Development (ARDD) a Jordan-based organization and the coordinator of the Jordan National NGOs Forum (JONAF), both of which are dedicated to advancing Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) agenda in Jordan and the region. We write to convey our profound apprehension regarding recent statements made by Honorary Founding Chair Mrs. Hillary Rodham Clinton who during a recent event, expressed skepticism about the feasibility of a ceasefire, suggesting that such a measure could be perceived as a “gift” to Hamas. These statements have raised significant concerns not only within our organization but also among other Arab Civil Society Organizations dedicated to WPS principles, particularly in light of the ongoing Israeli offensive in the Gaza Strip.
This stance has raised questions about the alignment of this position with the fundamental principles of the WPS agenda. We find ourselves puzzled and outraged by the inconsistency between the viewpoint of a prominent figure associated with Georgetown Institute and the core tenets that the Institute itself upholds. Their regional partnerships are invaluable, and we believe that Ms. Clinton’s recent statements can, in our perspective, undermine the credibility of any collaboration grounded in a shared commitment to the core principles of the WPS agenda, echoing the concerns raised in our letter. We firmly believe that advocating for peace and an immediate ceasefire in Gaza is a pivotal step towards protecting all civilians, particularly those who are most vulnerable, such as women and children, who bear a disproportionate burden in times of conflict and are the most affected.
In fact, according to the most recent information from the Palestinian Ministry of Health, the relentless Israeli airstrikes since October 7th have killed more than 9485 Palestinian people, this includes 4000 children and 2430 women. Additionally, 24173 Palestinians have been injured and they can be hardly cured as the health system is currently collapsing due to the severe blockade imposed on Gaza impeding the entrance of fuel, vital for the functioning of the hospitals that are still operating.
As UNFPA reported on the 30th of October, within Gaza’s population of 2.2 million individuals, approximately 1 in 4 are women and girls of reproductive age, totaling around 572,000 people and they do not have access to reproductive health services. Distressingly, an estimated 50,000 pregnant women find themselves entangled in the ongoing violent escalation, with roughly 5,500 expected to give birth within the next 30 days—equating to over 160 deliveries daily. An estimated 840 women are at risk of experiencing complications during pregnancy or childbirth.
A few days after the beginning of the latest escalation, humanitarian organizations and the UN agencies on the ground, along with the UN Secretary-General, Mr. Guterrez, and more than 800 specialized scholars have been calling for a ceasefire. This call comes in response to the pressing situation, which carries significant urgency and gravity as it warns of the potential for a genocide being perpetrated in Gaza.
However, Mrs. Clinton has chosen to center and prioritize geopolitical considerations and interests instead of the protection of innocent human lives. Our understanding is that the Georgetown Institute for Women, Peace, and Security is committed to promoting women, peace, and security worldwide, with a particular focus on the MENA region. Indeed, its mission resonates with the ARDD mandate, and we consider the work on WPS carried out by your institution critical in supporting the regional effort to implement and localize the principles of UNSCR 1325.
Additionally, as the international community approaches the twenty-third anniversary of UNSCR 1325 on women, peace, and security, the world finds itself engulfed in numerous crises, all rooted in destructive, patriarchal militarism. The 2022 Secretary-General’s report on women, peace, and security paints a grim picture, highlighting the eighth consecutive year of global military expenditure escalation, reaching a staggering USD 2.2 trillion. This alarming trend goes against the very essence of the WPS agenda, which seeks to reduce militarism and prioritize investment in conflict prevention.
The WPS agenda, which your Institute champions, emphasizes the critical role women play in conflict prevention, peacebuilding, and peacekeeping. Women’s inclusion in peace processes, and the mitigation of factors contributing to conflict and fragility, are essential components of this agenda.
However, the dire situation in Gaza where thousands of Palestinians have been killed and many more have been injured, requires unequivocal condemnation of violence and active mobilization towards stances and policies aimed at securing the safety and security of women and children affected by violence.
We believe that is time to reexamine the UNSCR 1325 to enhance its capacity and prevent atrocities such as genocide and other war crimes perpetrated against women, girls, and all individuals. This revision should also incorporate mechanisms for holding war criminals accountable for these violations. Additionally, it is imperative to underscore the gravity of the situation in Gaza, where the situation can be defined as a genocide and an ethnic cleansing already. As organizations working on the WPS agenda, we also need to examine our commitment to neutrality and impartiality, which need to align with humanitarian principles and not take blind sides. While the WPS agenda has its roots in responding to violent conflict, any agenda that purports to advance gender equality and eliminate violence against women and girls needs to address the deeply rooted systemic and structural causes of gender inequality. The ongoing situation in Gaza serves as a stark reminder of the threats of addressing violence against women without analyzing the intersecting structural inequalities and recognizing that gender, which is not synonymous with women alone, is intrinsically linked to class, race, colonization, and various other hierarchies of oppression. This underscores the necessity for a comprehensive and inclusive approach that confronts the root causes of gender-based violence and inequality.
Considering your leading and leadership position as an institute focusing on Peace and Security, we demand you take a clear position calling for a ceasefire and an end to the ongoing violence in the Gaza Strip. We firmly believe that disassociating from Mrs. Clinton’s statement is of utmost importance for your standing and the vital efforts of Arab civil society. The suffering endured by women and children in Gaza underscores the pressing need to promote peace and guarantee their safety. We hold the belief that safeguarding women, enabling their meaningful participation in peace processes, and providing them with equal opportunities is not merely theoretical but an absolute imperative for achieving lasting, sustainable, and inclusive peace, also in the current situation. It is our collective duty to prioritize these principles in the actual pursuit of a more peaceful world.
As an organization committed to the WPS agenda, we urge for clarity and alignment between the statements made by figures associated with your Institute and the foundational principles it stands for. We expect the Institute to continue championing women’s rights, equality, and lasting peace, in line with the WPS agenda.
We seek an understanding of the rationale behind the discrepancies and an amendment from the Institute to address these concerns. However, since the start of the war on Gaza, the Georgetown Institute has been loudly silent.
Sincerely yours
Samar Muhareb,
ARDD Chief Executive Director & JONAF Coordinator
