On International Women’s Day, the ICC calls for a world with no fear or violence
Today, 8 March 2017, the International Criminal Court (ICC) marks International Women's Day and highlights the need for greater joint efforts toward fostering security and justice to uphold women's rights and defend their equal role in society, free from violence.
ICC President Judge Silvia Fernández de Gurmendi emphasised the need for more women in leadership roles: “The ICC, with an all-female Presidency, a female Prosecutor and several female Judges, is an example of how women can lead in achieving justice and pursuing security.” She expressed hope for “a world where this is replicated everywhere, because women’s leadership is essential to building a just society where women can pursue any goal without fear, with equal opportunity.”
The ICC Prosecutor, Mrs Fatou Bensouda, highlighted the impact of conflict on women and girls, and the efforts of her Office to fight against impunity for gender-based crimes and sexual violence: “My hope for the future of women and girls is a more just and peaceful world, where atrocity crimes are universally admonished and addressed; a world where we have no gender divide when it comes to equal opportunities, rights and freedoms. Until women and men can stand as full equals the world over, our work is not done. Equality and respect for women is progress for all.”
International Women's Day celebrates the social, economic, cultural and political achievement of women, while stressing the need to make further progress in gender parity. Women and girls around the world must live in the comfort of safety and be afforded equal opportunity to excel in society, without fear or violence. The ICC will continue its work towards building a more just world in strict conformity with its mandate.
For further information, please contact Fadi El Abdallah, Spokesperson/Head, Public Affairs Unit, International Criminal Court, by telephone at: +31 (0)70 515-9152, +31 (0)6 464-48938 or by e-mail at: [email protected].
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