The International Day of Women Judges emphasizes the role of women in establishing justice
The International Day of Women Judges emphasizes the role of women in consolidating justice
Equality and justice remain an important field for all peoples of the world if we want to achieve the goals ofsustainable developmentin a comprehensive manner, and one of the most prominent axes of this field is enhancing the role of women in various fields, most notably the judicial system, which is one of the most important pillars of societal stability. From this standpoint, the United Nations General Assembly adopted March 10 of each year as the International Day for Women Judges, in order to emphasize the importance of women’s representation in the judiciary and their role in consolidating justice.
In the framework of supporting these efforts,Earth Guards will work in this article to highlight the importance of the role of women in the judiciary as part of achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and to highlight initiatives aimed at promoting equality in the judiciary, as well as to highlight the challenges facing female judges; Which contributes to drawing a more comprehensive picture of the role of women in this vital field.. So keep reading.
The importance of women’s presence in the judicial arena
The International Day of Women Judges is an important occasion to highlight the importance of women’s representation in the judicial system and the promotion of justice through their effective participation, as judicial positions were for long periods restricted to men in many countries, and despite the increasing participation of women in public life, their presence in judicial leadership positions remains limited; Which affects the judicial system’s representation of all segments of society.
The importance of the presence of women in the judicial system is not limited to achieving equality and equal opportunities, but extends to improving the level of justice itself. Studies have proven that diversity within judicial bodies contributes to enhancing the response to human rights issues and ensures making more comprehensive decisions that reflect the needs of the entire society. The presence of women in the judiciary also contributes to disrupting corruption networks and enhances the climate of integrity and transparency within judicial institutions.
In addition, the presence of women in the judiciary contributes to enhancing individuals’ confidence in the judicial system, especially groups that may find it difficult to access justice due to social gaps. The presence of female judges in cases related to family rights or gender-based violence enhances women’s sense of safety and fairness.
The role of women in the Egyptian judiciary
In line with the importance of the role of women in the judiciary, the Egyptian judicial arena has witnessed remarkable development in recent years, especially in 2003 when Tahani El-Gebali – who has worked in law for about 30 years – was appointed to be the first Egyptian female judge, in addition to her appointment as President of the Supreme Constitutional Court, and until now she remains the only woman to have held the highest judicial position in the history of Egypt.
This is a historical event that constituted an important turning point in the history of the Egyptian judiciary. We have since witnessed a steady representation of women in the judiciary; The Supreme Judicial Council appointed 98 female judges at once in 2021, and this was a new record in the history of the Egyptian judiciary, which raised the percentage to about 15-20% by 2023, compared to a percentage that did not exceed 5% two decades ago.
In addition to these efforts, Egypt has adopted several initiatives, including “National Strategy for Women’s Empowerment 2030,” in addition to training and education programs. As appointment efforts continue from 2021, the number of female judges is expected to rise significantly, with attempts being made to appoint women to positions such as public prosecutors and military courts.
Challenges facing female judges
Despite the progress women have made in many fields, they still face major challenges in reaching senior judicial positions. In some countries, stereotypical societal perceptions and the absence of equal opportunities for promotion represent obstacles that prevent women from reaching senior positions in the judiciary. This requires adopting policies and strategies that support women’s empowerment and ensure their access to equal opportunities at all levels.
Initiatives to enhance the role of female judges
To celebrate this day, many international and local bodies are working to launch initiatives and programs aimed at enhancing the role of women in judicial systems at all levels, whether in leadership or administrative positions. In 2024, the Global Network for Judicial Integrity – affiliated with the United Nations Office – launched a mentoring program aimed at enhancing communication between female judges and exchanging experiences. Which contributes to building a judicial community that is more solidarity and capable of confronting challenges.
At the international level, the United Nations is highlighting efforts aimed at achieving equality in the judiciary through the “Women in Justice to Achieve It” initiative, which focuses on empowering women in the judicial system and ensuring their fair representation in leadership positions, as this is an essential part of achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) approved by the United Nations, especially Goal (5) “Gender Equality.”
It is worth noting that over the past twenty years the number of women and girls dealing with the criminal justice system in any way has increased, and because of this increase there is an urgent need to make more efforts to support women’s access to justice, and to ensure that the institutions of the judicial system respond to their needs efficiently and effectively.
ThereforeEarth Guards believes that empowering women in the judiciary is not just a legal entitlement, but rather an investment in a more efficient judicial system that reflects the diversity of societies and achieves justice fairly and transparently. By enhancing the role of women and providing them with leadership opportunities, we can ensure the provision of more comprehensive and fair judicial services, and contribute to building a stable and peaceful society.
