STATEMENT OF PRESIDENT GATTI SANTANA ON THE OCCASION OF INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY

The President of the International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals (Mechanism), Judge Graciela Gatti Santana, today issued the following statement in honour of International Women’s Day 2025:

“On the occasion of International Women’s Day, which will be celebrated around the world tomorrow, 8 March, I wish to praise and thank all of the women whose unwavering dedication, professionalism, and expertise have contributed to making the Mechanism a highly effective and respected institution in the field of international criminal justice. Our female staff and defence counsel, my fellow women Judges, and most importantly the courageous women who testified before the Mechanism and its predecessors, have all played a vital role in the success of this institution and in advancing and enriching the broader accountability process. I note that, at present, eight out of the 25 Judges on the Mechanism’s judicial roster and 47% of the Mechanism’s staff overall are women, with women making up 52% of staff in the professional category. Although strong progress has been made towards achieving the full and equal participation of women, further improvement is possible. 

While the Mechanism has undergone an acute transformation during its truly residual phase and will continue to evolve, gender inclusivity must remain a priority even as we further downsize. I firmly believe that there is still room to accelerate action in this regard. As President, and in my capacity as an International Gender Champion, I will continue to pay close attention to ensure that gender parity is given appropriate consideration in the composition of benches and in connection with staffing decisions. Furthermore, I remain dedicated to supporting the critical work of our Focal Points for Gender, including training sessions on the prevention of sexual harassment, sexual exploitation, and sexual abuse. Valuable learning opportunities like these will allow us to keep fostering a safe, supportive, and inclusive work environment together; a goal that is very close to my heart.

As we mark this important day, I pay tribute to all women who have been a part of the Mechanism’s historic journey, and I reaffirm my commitment to gender parity and equality.”