President of the International Criminal Court (“ICC” or the “Court”), ICC Prosecutor, Fatou Bensouda and ICC Registrar, Peter Lewis adopted a High-Level Statement on Gender Equality at the ICC.
According to them “we firmly believe that in order to uphold women’s rights and to reap the benefits of women’s important contributions, the perspectives of women in all of their diversity must be integrated in all spheres of the work of the Court,” the Principals affirmed. “For us, gender equality is about equal rights, responsibilities and opportunities for all; it covers the relations in the context of our work environment between women and men and other groups, reflecting a wide understanding of gender identities and gender expressions,” reads the Statement.
This High-Level commitment is consistent with values of diversity, respect, equity and inclusion as well as the principles enshrined in the Court’s legal framework. The Statement, which has been promulgated internally earlier today, outlines areas where further action will be undertaken to promote gender equality at the Court.
With this Statement, the Court reaffirms its commitment to achieving gender equality and a safe and inclusive workplace culture and environment, through the practical implementation of the goals and priorities set in the Court-wide and organ specific Strategic Plans for 2019-2021, as well as the five priority areas from the Court-wide Staff Wellbeing Framework identified in 2019.
“Gender equality is not only right and necessary but a driver of performance and success for the organisation,” stated the Principals.
