International Day of Women Judges: Championing Gender Equality in the Judiciary
Every March 10 is International Day of Women Judges. It is dedicated to celebrating women judges and promoting women’s participation and equality in the judiciary. Women’s participation in the judiciary is essential to ensuring that courts represent their population, address their concerns, and render competent decisions. Women judges enhance the credibility of courts simply by being present, sending a strong message that they are open and accessible to anyone seeking justice.
History of International Day of Women Judges
The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) dedicated today to celebrate female judges and their contributions to social justice, equality, and fairness. This decision took place in Doha, Qatar, during the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime’s (UNODC) international conference.
The Institute for African Women in Law (IAWL) emphasized the significance of judiciaries cultivating a culture of respect for women’s rights, and in 2021, the UNGA passed a resolution designating March 10 as the International Day of Women Judges.
Why Does International Day of Women Judges Matter
Traditionally, the judiciary is dominated by men. Although there has been a little progress, there are still not enough women in the profession, especially as judges. Therefore, this day is an opportunity to promote systemic adjustments for equal participation.
Women being in the judiciary is not only about representation but also contributing to diverse opinions, which enhances the justice delivery system through varied viewpoints to legal interpretation and decision-making. According to empirical research, when women are judges, public confidence in the judiciary is increased. Therefore, the IDWJ is a day to celebrate women judges and discuss the issues they face in the profession. This day is significant because it will encourage our female children who desire to become lawyers to pursue their passion, knowing they can reach the pinnacle of their career.
Reasons We Need More Women Judges
There are several reasons we need more women in the judiciary.
- Underrepresentation in Leadership: Women are underrepresented in decision-making positions, especially in senior judicial roles.
- Ensuring Representative Courts: The presence of women judges makes the judiciary more reflective of the citizens it serves.
- Enhancing Legitimacy: Women’s presence shows that courts are open and fair to everyone who comes to seek justice.
- Promoting Inclusivity and Transparency: When more women are in the judiciary, it’s perceived to be inclusive.
- Strengthening Public Trust: The public will have more confidence in the legal system when women are included in the judiciary.
- Encouraging Full and Equal Participation: It creates gender balance, and our children will have female role models as judges.
- It leads to making effective policies on gender equality in the judiciary.
International Day of Women Judges ensures that everyone, including children, is treated fairly and equally before the law. Our goal to achieve sustainable development and democracy can be attained when women participate equally with their male counterparts at all levels of decision-making. By this, we are laying a strong foundation for our children and building a world where they can thrive and achieve their dreams.
