Last year two exceptional women arbitrators, Ema Vidak Friedman and Elena Gutiérrez García de Cortázar launched the MUTE OFF Thursdays‘ “Compendium of Unicorns – A Global Guide to Women Arbitrators”, in partnership with GAR and Burford Capital. “Unicorns” in the title reflects a comment by a man that he would appoint qualified female arbitrators “if only he could find some.” To assist him and the wider world, the guide profiles 170+ women arbitrators and provides relevant information about their arbitration related experience. By presenting everything in one place, the book makes it easier for users to identify suitable female candidates for appointments.
Isn’t it fantastic that in the mediation field, we have gone even further than this excellent initiative?
IMI’s certification, which distinguishes individuals based on quality and outstanding track record, helps in breaking the bias with respect to retaining women mediators, whose exceptional profiles can be searched on our website. The IMI Certified Mediator Search Engine enables the search of experienced, practicing mediators who have positive client feedback through various categories, including, practice areas, locations, languages and, yes, gender.
On this International Women’s Day, and every day, I call on all lawyers and users in search of a mediator to consult IMI’s rich database and propose the appointment of a women mediator or mediation advocate for your next mediation, with confidence in them and IMI’s quality assurance process.
Did you know that most of us tend to underestimate women’s performance and are more likely to challenge women’s competence—even in their area of expertise? (See Forbes article on “How To #BreakTheBias At Work On International Women’s Day, And Every Day”).
Let’s put an end to that.
Find your next IMI Certified Mediators and Mediation Advocate here.*
Why not also find a co-mediator this way, or a mentor or mentee (search IMI’s Qualified Mediator Database!)?
This International Women’s Day is celebrated under two parallel themes: Invest in women: Accelerate progress and Inspire Inclusion. When we inspire others to understand and value women’s inclusion, we forge a better world. The world is facing many crises, ranging from geopolitical conflicts to soaring poverty levels and the escalating impacts of climate change. These challenges can only be addressed by solutions that empower women and include women in the solution generating process. By investing in women, we can spark change and speed the transition towards a healthier, safer, and more equal world for all.
As we celebrate today, I cannot help reflecting on a day back in 2020, when, just a month before I would give birth to a beautiful baby boy, I had the incredible privilege to speak within the “Gender, Trade and COVID-19” Virtual Panel Series, organised by UNCITRAL: United Nations Commission on International Trade Law and UN Women. Many topics covered that day still stand true and relevant.
Speaking before me was IMI Certified Mediator Eileen Carroll, Principal Mediator and Co-Founder of Centre for Effective Dispute Resolution (CEDR) on the topic of “Mediation as a flexible and informal dispute resolution tool.” Her two mediation stories have stuck with me vividly until today and I urge all to review the recording. You can read more on the referenced Mary Parker Follett in “To Mary Parker Follett – An apology from a fan”, an article published in 2021 on Wolter Kluwer’s Mediation blog by Dr Rosemary Howell, another accomplished mediator and mediation thought leader in her own right.
I spoke on behalf of a four Western Balkan states, on a rare occasion of alignment of public policies and stances. This session explored how UNCITRAL tools can help promote pro-women and gender-responsive policies in a post COVID-19 environment, particularly in support of the many micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) that are owned by women. UNCITRAL texts on mediation, which I had an opportunity to work on, alongside IMI colleagues Mark Appel and Laila El Shentenawi, provide MSMEs with more informal, flexible, and efficient dispute resolution tools to deal with commercial disputes. I spoke about mediation as a more comfortable, flexible and supportive process which may be conducted in a place of safety and comfort, with flexible timing. It is a process better placed for all parties, including women, to be heard, and feel heard.
With the rapid development of mediation across the world, I trust that this process will further contribute to inspiring inclusion.
Isn’t it beautiful what women are capable of, when included? Isn’t it amazing what we can achieve when we work together, in an inclusive environment? Isn’t it fantastic how many women mediators are practicing across the world, despite all difficulties associated with solo practice in a developing profession?
Let’s empower them, and encourage many more to follow.
Watch the recording from the 2020 Panel here here:
Today, we honour all women for their valued contributions in creating more harmonious, resilient and collaborative societies, especially women who have chosen mediation as their profession or professional aspiration.
In particular, we would like to recognise and thank all women who are part of IMI’s community – from intern to board leadership, including the many women with cutting edge expertise who serve on our committees and taskforces and further IMI’ vision and mission through their exceptional, devoted work. We celebrate and value their contributions, today and every day.
IMI is the only organisation in the world to adopt an international vision and mission for mediation, transcending local jurisdictions to develop global, professional standards for mediators and mediation advocates. Quality is critical if mediation is to grow and be used by disputants. The adoption of common international standards on mediation means users can rely on objective and proven quality standards and assessment criteria to make an informed decision on choosing a mediator, rather than relying on word-of-mouth, hearsay, directory listings, or self-proclamations by mediators.
* Please note that more than 240 mediators have chosen not to declare their gender. To broaden the gender search results, consider also choosing “prefer not to say”.
Ps. To pre-empt any wrong conclusions, this is just a disclaimer that the photos are a reflection on a great UN WOMEN event, from several years ago. Pregnant women should work at their own pace, as their health and legislation allows. I was fortunate to have an easy pregnancy.