It’s our great pleasure today to introduce Claudia Martin as an IntLawGrrls contributor. Claudia is the Co-Director of the Academy on Human Rights and Humanitarian Law and Professorial Lecturer in Residence at American University Washington College of Law. She also serves as a member of the Secretariat of GQUAL. At the Academy, Claudia oversees the academic coordination of the LL.M in International Human Rights and Humanitarian Law, the summer Program of Advanced Studies in Human Rights and Humanitarian Law, and the Inter-American Moot Court Competition. She also supervises the Academy’s scholarly production, including the Inter-American Human Rights Digest and the publication of books, articles and specialized reports. Prof. Martin has several publications on international law, international and comparative human rights law and Inter-American human rights law. Other appointments include serving as a Member of the Editorial Board, Oxford Reports on International Law in Domestic Courts, Oxford University Press and Amsterdam Center for International Law; and as a Contributing editor to Oxford Reports on International Human Rights Law, Oxford University Press.

Claudia appeared on behalf of the GQUAL Campaign before the CEDAW Committee during its last sessions in November 2015. In that presentation, GQUAL requested the CEDAW Committee strengthen the interpretation and application of Article 8 of CEDAW to ensure gender parity in the access to positions in international tribunals and other bodies. The GQUAL Campaign believes that Article 8 is a starting point and a stepping stone in ensuring gender parity in international organs and tribunals. Claudia’s first post will discuss this work. Heartfelt welcome!