On June 15, 2012, Fatou Bensouda assumes the role of Chief Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court. The International Campaign to Stop Rape & Gender Violence in Conflict welcomes and supports Fatou in her new role, as well as the increasing visibility of gender justice on the Court’s agenda. TAKE ACTION TO SUPPOT FATOU!

Meet Fatou

A Gambian national, Bensouda is the first woman and the first African to take up the role of Chief Prosecutor of the ICC. She is an experienced lawyer, in Gambia and then at the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda. She has served as the ICC’s deputy prosecutor for the past eight years, before taking on this role.

The ICC serves a critical role in ensuring comprehensive justice of conflict-related rape and gender violence. In countries such as Burma, Colombia, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Kenya—rape is used as  a tactical weapon, often perpetrated with direct consent or ordered by military commanders and government officials. Prosecuting not only the perpetrators of rape, but the architects of violence is vital for preventing future conflict and providing restorative justice to survivors.

However, the Chief Prosecutor will only be as effective as the support and mandate she receives from the international community.

Take Action Now

Send a letter or email to your Head of State asking your country to Support Fatou: provide the new Chief Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court with a mandate for effective gender justice!

Tell your Head of State you want your country to ratify the Rome Statute and be part of the International Criminal Court.

Tell your Head of State you want your country to donate to the ICC Trust Fund for Victims earmarked pool for victims of sexual and/or gender-based violence.

Contact information for Heads of State.

For more information about how to take action to Support Fatou and gender justice click here!

Read more

"Gambia's Fatou Bensouda sworn in as ICC prosecutor," BBC News, 15 June, 2012.

"ICC: New Prosecutor Takes Reins," Human Rights Watch, 14 June, 2012.

"Africa: Gambian Lawyer Fatou bensouda Ready to Rule the Hague," All Africa, 14 June, 2012.

"Fatou Bensouda: the woman who could redeem the international criminal court," The Guardian, 14 June, 2012.

"CPI: Fatou Bensouda, 'fiere de travailer pour les victimes d'Afrique'," AFP, 14 June 2012.