Here’s What You Need to Know from Her Extensive Work Investigating Sexual Violence in Conflict Zones Across the Globe.

Despite being deemed “the most inexpensive weapon in existence,” instances of sexual violence during wartime often go undocumented in historical accounts, as highlighted by journalist Christina Lamb in her 2020 book, “Our Bodies, Their Battlefields: War Through the Lives of Women.”

Lamb, who serves as the chief foreign correspondent for the Sunday Times in Britain, sought to challenge this historical oversight by delving into the history and repercussions of rape as a tool of warfare. Throughout her book, she meticulously documented its use by various military factions, such as Pakistani soldiers against Bangladeshis during the 1971 war for independence, Serbian paramilitary units against Bosnian Muslims in 1992, and ISIS militants targeting Yazidis during and after the 2014 genocide, among numerous other conflicts spanning history.

Following the October 7 attack on Israel by Hamas, Lamb journeyed to Israel to investigate reports of sexual violence. Her subsequent report, published in early December, shed light on Israeli activists’ frustration with the initial silence from the United Nations and other international bodies regarding widespread allegations of rape.

Earlier this month, the office of UN Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict, headed by Pramila Patten, released a report citing “reasonable grounds” to believe that sexual violence, including rape and gang rape, occurred during the October 7 attack.

Lamb voiced disappointment, labeling the UN’s delayed response to Israeli women’s groups’ inquiries about investigating sexual violence allegations as “inexcusable.” Moreover, American officials echoed these concerns, accusing the UN of overlooking reports of sexual violence against Israelis in the conflict.

However, discussions surrounding sexual violence in wartime remain contentious. Historically, the exploitation of women has been invoked to justify conflicts, a phenomenon observed even in contemporary scenarios like the US involvement in Afghanistan.

On International Women’s Day, Israel released an advertisement expressing solidarity with Israeli women who allegedly faced kidnapping, rape, and murder on October 7. Yet, protests erupted at a Columbia University event on sexual violence in conflict, where attendees accused panelists, including former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and US Ambassador to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield, of leveraging rape allegations to justify Israel’s actions.

Despite extensive media coverage of sexual violence in the conflict, criticisms persist, with some questioning the veracity of certain accounts. Recent revelations by journalists from The New York Times have even cast doubt on the accuracy of specific allegations featured in earlier investigations.

In conclusion, the discourse surrounding sexual violence in conflict zones, particularly in the context of the Israel-Gaza conflict, remains complex and fraught with political implications. As Lamb contends, addressing these issues requires a nuanced approach that acknowledges the victims’ experiences while navigating the broader geopolitical dynamics at play.

_{Repurposed article originally published in Mother Jones}