On the International Day of Women Judges, three trailblazing women judges are sharing their stories and experiences on the International Court of Justice (ICJ), where though they are in the minority - just four of the 15 justices are women - they see change on the horizon and say that "not for a minute" did they see gender as a disadvantage.
Gender equality in the judiciary has been historically unbalanced, including at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), the principal judicial organ of the United Nations.
The first woman to be elected as a member of the ICJ in 1995 was Dame Rosalyn Higgins, who in 2006 also became the first female President of the Court.
Today at the ICJ, also known as the 'World Court', four out of 15 judges are women, including the President of the Court, Joan E. Donoghue. In total, the Hague-based Court has had five female judges in its history, compared to 106 male judges.
Women's participation in the judiciary is essential to ensure courts reflect the makeup of society and address citizens' concerns. Women judges enhance the legitimacy of courts, sending a powerful message that they are open and accessible to all those who seek justice.
To mark the International Day, the United Nations in Western Europe interviewed three of Court's judges: Hanqin Xue, Judge at the ICJ since 2010 and Vice President from 2018 to 2021; Hilary Charlesworth, Judge at the ICJ since November 2021; and Dame Rosalyn Higgins, Judge at the ICJ from 1995 to 2009 and President from 2006-2009.
"The fight for women's emancipation has been going on for a long time. Yet, the Court did not have a woman judge until 1995. That is late. It is high time to recognize women's achievements, women's contributions and their competence and talents in the international field," said Judge Hanqin Xue.
Find the full version of this interview here, as originally published by the UN Regional Information Centre for Western Europe (UNRIC).
