COMMUNITY

On our 9th anniversary, we want to thank you for being part of this journey. Since we launched the GQUAL campaign in 2015, we have worked tirelessly at the global level to achieve and sustain gender parity in international justice bodies and mechanisms. The participation of women, in all their diversity, is essential to address global challenges in a fair and inclusive manner, and together we have made significant progress.

Why did we start the Campaign?

In 2015, the underrepresentation of women in international bodies was alarming: at 32.5%, women were underrepresented in almost all international and regional tribunals, bodies and mechanisms responsible for delivering international justice and developing international law. Achieving gender parity in international decision-making spaces promotes the protection of women’s right to equality and strengthens the legitimacy and impact of these institutions. That is why we launched GQUAL with a clear purpose: to #ChangeThePicture and ensure that women can participate equally in international justice systems and other multilateral spaces.  Read our declaration here.

Why does this matter?

Because international decision-making spaces significantly influence crucial issues such as international law and human rights, climate change, peace and security, trade, development and economics, local, national and international policy and governance.

A Road Traveled: 9 Years of GQUAL

During these 9 years, we have achieved important advances in the elimination of barriers that impede the equal participation of women in international justice and other international decision-making spaces. GQUAL has been a central actor in the promotion and elaboration of General Recommendation 40 of the CEDAW Committee, which conceptualizes gender parity as a starting point and universal standard for the equal and inclusive representation of women in decision-making systems. 

We have also played a key role in promoting and achieving gender parity in key spaces, such as the Special Procedures of the United Nations and the OAS. For the first time in their history, these spaces have achieved and sustained gender parity. 

Achievements and Progress: 2015 – 2024

Progress towards gender parity would not have been possible without the joint efforts of our allies. In these 9 years, GQUAL has contributed to:

• 65% reduction in the gender gap in the 102 international bodies we monitor, increasing the representation of women from 32.5% in 2015 to 44% in 2024.
• 60% representation of women in the Special Procedures of the UN Human Rights Council, reaching gender parity for the first time in history by 2022, and securing the appointment of women to 12 Rapporteurships that had never before been led by women
• Adoption of 12 key resolutions by the UN and the OAS, consolidating political commitments to guarantee gender equality in the selection processes of these bodies.
• Becoming the first and only initiative that monitors the composition of international bodies, alerts about  vacancies, informs on procedures, and promotes their reform.
• Annual publication of the GQUAL Ranking, which tracks and breaks down the representation of women in international organizations, differentiated by gender and region, providing key data to promote equality. 
• Development and adoption of two international reports with specific recommendations to achieve parity within the OAS and UN. 

These achievements are the result of years of advocacy, data collection and networking with a diverse community committed to gender equality. 

While each step brings us closer to parity, there is still a long way to go.

Despite progress, the lack of women’s representation in many international arenas continues to be of concern. In some bodies, their participation barely reaches 9%, and although they are more present in areas related to women and children, they continue to be underrepresented in judicial and senior positions. Moreover, the absence of institutionalized measures to ensure gender parity makes progress vulnerable and setbacks common. Without a clear and sustained commitment, the risk of losing what has been achieved is very real, reminding us that equality is still far from a guaranteed reality.

On the bright side, we know that we can build on what we have achieved and finish changing this picture completely. But we need your help

Become a GQUALizer: Your action is key!

Change is possible when we unite to promote gender equality in international decision-making spaces. We invite you to become a GQUALizer and be part of this global movement. Here are some ways you can support:

Our wish for this anniversary? To keep changing the face of international justice, with your help, donate here and join us!
Donate now here.

• Make a Donation and Help Us Continue Changing the Picture
  On this anniversary, your support is more important than ever. Every contribution allows us to continue our work for gender parity in international spaces. By donating to GQUAL, you are strengthening our advocacy actions, enabling the production of crucial research and helping to continue our campaigns for gender equality.
• Subscribe: Stay up to date with our research, studies, events and opportunities. Subscribe to our newsletter to receive updates on vacancies and other opportunities.
• Share and amplify our voice: Share our publications and promote the nomination of women to key roles in international bodies. Every time you speak out about the campaign, you take one step closer to equality. Visit www.gqualcampaign.org to learn more about how you can get active.
• Join our global network: Connect with others committed to justice and equality. Support the creation of fair and transparent selection processes in international bodies, and spread the word about our research and achievements. Every action counts to continue #ChangingThePicture and ensuring that 50:50 parity becomes a reality.

Looking Ahead: Upcoming Challenges and Opportunities

As we celebrate these achievements, we also look forward with a renewed commitment to continue driving structural change. Our Strategic Vision 2024-2028 will focus on strengthening legal and policy frameworks that ensure the equal participation of women, especially those from the Global South, in international decision-making spaces.

A crucial challenge lies ahead with the upcoming elections for the General Secretariats of the UN and the OAS. It is time to advocate for a diverse leadership, committed to gender equality, that reflects the diversity and voice of women in all their diversity.

Read our Strategic Vision here.

Thank you for being part of this journey and for continuing to join efforts to build a more just and inclusive future.