International Women's Day 2004

Every year, the ILO celebrates International Women's Day to emphasize its commitment to gender equality and equal recognition. On the schedule this year are a three-day film festival and a panel discussion on women in the judiciary.

The first ILO film festival, "Women's Work", features films from around the world that have one thing in common: the struggles and triumphs of women to achieve their professional goals, to cope with work and family, or to simply earn a living, often in the face of poverty, social restrictions, or discrimination. (Films are in original version, with French subtitles)

"Women of Justice: Balancing the Scales" is a panel discussion with two of the most lawyers in the world. Carla Del Ponte and Shirin Ebadi have arrived by different paths to their present positions, in a profession that has made enormous strides in terms of gender equality. The profession itself is a tool in the fight for equality. From allegations of employment discrimination to sexual harassment, the courtroom is the ultimate space where women seek justice. This event is by invitation only.

Panellists:

Shirin Ebadi: Nobel Peace Prize Laureate, 2003. An Iranian lawyer and human rights activist, Ebadi was born in 1947. She received a law degree from the University of Tehran. In the years 1975-79, she served as president of the city court of Tehran, as one the first female judges in Iran. After the revolution in 1979 she was forced to resign. She now works as a lawyer, with a special focus on women and children's rights, and teaches at the University of Tehran.

Carla Del Ponte: Chief Prosecutor, International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia. Born in 1947 in Switzerland, she has prosecuted cases involving financial and white-collar crimes, international drug trafficking and organized crime. In 1994, she was appointed Attorney General of Switzerland and a member of the Federal Commission on White-Collar Crime. In her current position, Carla Del Ponte is responsible for the investigation and prosecution of persons responsible for serious violations of international humanitarian law committed in the former Yugoslavia.