The “Empowering Women in International Law” webinar, hosted by the International Association of Women Judges (“IAWJ”) in collaboration with the International Law Students Association (“ILSA”) and the GQUAL campaign, brought together 26 distinguished women judges and legal professionals from 16 international courts, tribunals, and bodies worldwide— including the ICC, ITLOS, ICSID, SIAC, IOM, CJEU, WTO, and STL. This fruitful event offered 83 female law students, selected from a pool of 192 highly competitive applicants, the unparalleled opportunity to gain one-on-one career guidance and connect with leading women in international law.
Tarazi Mohammed Sheikh, a member of the ILSA Board of Directors, opened the event and set the stage for meaningful discussions. The keynote panel featured Hon. Ivana Jelić, Vice-President of the European Court of Human Rights, and Ms. Leticia Bonifaz, a member of the UN CEDAW, who addressed the pivotal role of women in shaping international law, both their significant contributions and the obstacles they face.
The webinar then transitioned into three rounds of 25-minute breakout rooms, facilitated by 12 student moderators and divided into six fields of law, such as International Criminal Law, Arbitration, and Human Rights. These sessions provided students with the chance to engage directly with the speakers and learn from their experiences.
The event proved to be an invaluable experience and served as a reminder of the resilience required in international law. The personal stories shared by the speakers emphasized that while challenges remain, determination and support pave the path forward.