Ardern Calls for Action Against ‘Genocide’ in Gaza

Former New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has called for urgent action to address what she describes as ‘genocide’ occurring in Gaza. In an opinion piece published in The Guardian, she highlighted the rising casualty figures and their particularly devastating effects on new mothers and childbirth. Ardern emphasized that the international community must take steps to halt these atrocities.

In her article, Ardern stated, “There is a path to stopping the genocide still happening daily before us: more countries must recognize Palestinian statehood; any cooperation that facilitates military action must end.” Her remarks align with a growing consensus among international leaders and experts who argue that Israel’s conduct in Gaza meets the legal definition of genocide. Israel, however, has vehemently denied these allegations, dismissing a recent United Nations report that accused it of committing genocide as “fake” and based on misinformation from Hamas.

Ardern, who has been vocal about the situation in Gaza over the past months, noted the alarming statistics regarding maternal mortality, particularly from postpartum haemorrhaging (PPH). She pointed out that over half of the deaths caused by PPH occur in countries appealing for humanitarian assistance. “In high-income countries, deaths from PPH have nearly been eliminated. But globally, 70,000 women are still dying every year. That’s one PPH death every 7.5 minutes,” she wrote, stressing the urgency of addressing these preventable fatalities.

To combat maternal mortality in crisis situations, Ardern has collaborated with the International Rescue Committee on a programme called “Safer Births in Crises.” This initiative has received $4 million in funding from the Matariki Fund for Women, which is part of a broader network that includes the University of Otago.

Ardern urged world leaders to “resist the dehumanisation of numbers” and take decisive action, starting with the crisis in Gaza. “Women give birth during war, and they die. But they shouldn’t. Not in the midst of birth, nor in the crossfire of conflict. Sometimes politics and leadership should be as simple as that,” she stated.

Recently, UN member states voted to allow the leader of the Palestinian Authority to address the General Assembly, reflecting a growing recognition of the need for dialogue and action regarding the ongoing conflict.

Ardern’s call to action underscores the pressing humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the broader implications for maternal health in conflict zones. As the international community grapples with these urgent issues, her message resonates as a plea for immediate change and recognition of the human cost of political decisions.