Women judges hold the line against gender justice gap
Despite stark disparities in female representation on the courts, female judges around the world are taking sides in addressing gender justice inequality.
Women are significantly underrepresented in international tribunals, tribunals and other decision-making bodies that shape international law, human rights and accountability.
But a UN Women Report released on Thursday highlighted that when women shape international justice, institutions become more legitimate, trustworthy and responsive to society.
In the small Pacific country of Kiribati, women’s representation in the justice system has been prioritized.
Women make up 38 percent of judges and 29 percent of legislators.
Although the land area is small, the 33 islands that make up Kiribati, 21 of which are inhabited, are distributed over a wide area.
Kiribati Minister for Women Ruth Cross Kwansing explains that this means that for many Pacific women, distance from justice will be measured not in percentage points but in ocean crossings.
At an event on the sidelines of the 70th session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW), Ms Cross Kwansing said countries could not build just societies with justice systems that included only half the population.
“The depth of women’s leadership in our legal institutions did not happen by chance, but because women in Kiribati refused to accept that justice was not their domain,” she said in a statement on Thursday local time.
“This happened because they understood something fundamental: When women hold the gavel, the law begins to look up to women.”
Kiribati faces ongoing challenges such as rising seas, water scarcity and ecosystem loss caused by climate change, which often impacts women more due to social and economic inequalities.
Ms Cross Kwansing said ensuring that women in their roles in the judiciary help create durable and fair inclusive solutions is vital in addressing these inequalities.
“Small island states are often invisible in global justice,” he said.
“We call on partners, governments and multilateral institutions to increase cooperation and move from individual gains to systemic change through mechanisms such as the gender justice platform and global networks such as the International Association of Women Judges.”
More than 3,000 delegates representing governments, charities, non-governmental organizations and advocacy groups have been accredited to attend this year’s CSW conference.
The main theme of this year is ensuring access to justice and empowering all women and girls.
