Women in justice: Three trailblazing World Court judges

send a powerful message

Gender equality in the judiciary has been historically unbalanced, including at the
International Court of Justice (ICJ), the principal judicial organ of the United
Nations.

The first woman to be elected as a member of the ICJ in 1995 was Dame Rosalyn
Higgins, who in 2006 also became the first female President of the Court.

Today at the ICJ, also known as the ‘World Court’, four out of 15 judges are women,
including the President of the Court, Joan E. Donoghue. In total, the Hague-based
Court has had five female judges in its history, compared to 106 male judges.

Women’s participation in the judiciary is essential to ensure courts reflect the

makeup of society and address citizens’ concerns. Women judges enhance the
legitimacy of courts, sending a powerful message that they are open and accessible
to all those who seek justice.

To mark the International Day, the United Nations in Western Europe interviewed
three of Court’s judges: Hanqin Xue, Judge at the ICJ since 2010 and Vice President
from 2018 to 2021; Hilary Charlesworth, Judge at the ICJ since November 2021; and
Dame Rosalyn Higgins, Judge at the ICJ from 1995 to 2009 and President from
2006-2009.