A Voice or an Echo? Women in the UN Human Rights Expert Bodies

Does the personal background of women as independent experts in international organizations (IO s) affect their behavior? By studying the impact of biographies on the behavior of experts in international institutions, we shed light on broader questions of IO performance. We find that, contrary to our expectations, women are more active members than men. We explore this finding in more detail and argue that women’s participation in meetings with state representatives is correlated with their type and extent of experience, the education they received, and their regional group membership. By analyzing data from two novel datasets on members’ biographies and on their frequency of participation, we aim to uncover how these factors might shape the perspectives, attitudes, and decision-making of experts within IO s. Our study provides valuable insights into the diversity of expertise within international organizations and the implications for global governance and policymaking.