A critical, but often not visible, component towards women’s empowerment and equality is the representation of women on international adjudicatory and monitoring bodies, such as international tribunals, international and regional human rights commissions, United Nations Treaty Bodies, and United Nations Special Procedures. Such bodies make important and wide-reaching decisions for society and individuals yet women are woefully underrepresented in the vast majority of them.
+ Only 1 out of 7 judges serving on the Inter-American Court of Human Rights is a woman
+ Only 3 out of 15 judges at the International Court of Justice are women
+ Only 6 out of 18 judges within the International Criminal Court are women
+ Only 1 out of 18 members of the UN Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities are women
+ Only 3 out of 10 members of the Committee on Enforced Disappearance are women
GQUAL is a global initiative that seeks to achieve parity in international tribunals and monitoring bodies.
The campaign´s strategies are incorporated into the GQUAL Declaration. To date, the Declaration has received the endorsement of over 800 women and men, among them Vice-Presidents, Foreign Ministers and other high level State officials; former and current international judges, Special Rapporteurs, and members of international bodies and commissions; prominent lawyers, human rights activists, and academics. The Declaration is open for signature on the campaign´s website, and thus far has raised more than 400 signatures from all over the world. www.gqualcampaign.org
@GqualCampaign
Established in 1991 by a group of prominent Latin American human rights defenders, CEJIL is a regional organization that works to promote human rights throughout the Hemisphere through the effective use of the Inter-American System for the Protection of Human Rights, composed of the Inter-American Commission and Court, the human rights bodies of the Organization of American States (OAS). CEJIL's mandate to effectively promote and protect the human rights of citizens throughout the region is carried out from three program areas: 1) Legal Defense Program, 2) Training and Dissemination Program, and 3) Strengthening the Inter-American System Program. www.cejil.org @cejil
The International Development Law Organization (IDLO) is the only intergovernmental organization exclusively devoted to promoting the rule of law. It works around the world to enable governments and empower people to reform laws and strengthen institutions to promote peace, justice, sustainable development and economic opportunity. Its programs, research and policy advocacy covers the spectrum of rule of law from peace and institution-building to social development and economic recovery in countries emerging from conflict and striving towards democracy. www.idlo.int @IDLO
PPlease join us for a special event during the 62nd Session of the Committee on the Status of Women at the United Nations, featuring a discussion on the importance of promoting equal participation of women in international positions of authority to promote sustainable development.
DOWNLOAD THE CONCEPT NOTE HERE.
PLEASE NOTE: The United Nations security arrangements during the Commission on the Status of Women are particularly tight, therefore access to the UN building for non-UN pass holders will only be granted to those who have RSVPed by Monday, March 12th, through the link below. Please bring your government issued photo ID and UN pass (should you have one).
The day of the event (Tuesday, March 13), participants are kindly requested to come to the meeting checkpoint located at 45th street and 1st avenue from 10:30 to 11:15 am to collect their special event pass. Security screening is a several-step process and will take time to complete. To ensure smooth access through the security check point at the entrance of the UN Headquarters, please do not bring large bags, large cameras, tripods or food items.
