Efforts to Increase the Number of Female Judges in Afghanistan Receive High-level Support

Author: Hamayoon Sediqi

Kabul, Afghanistan – Afghanistan’s First Lady and Chief Justice of the Supreme Court have backed efforts to increase the number of female judges in the country and promote women’s access to justice.

Conference attendees hear how important it is to have more female judges. Photo: UN Women/Hamayoon Sediqi

They and other officials voiced their support as the Afghan Women Judges Association (AWJA) held its third General Assembly and Conference on 24-25 April, with technical and financial support from UN Women Afghanistan. AWJA’s mission is to increase the numbers of female judges and help their advancement in the courts, thereby promoting equal justice for women, minorities and other marginalized groups. A total of 220 female judges from across Afghanistan are members of the AWJA.

The Afghan Women Judges Association has helped promote rule of law in the country, Ms. Ghani says. Photo: UN Women/Hamayoon Sediqi

Among the 330 people attending the first day of the conference were the First Lady of Afghanistan, Rula Ghani; the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Afghanistan, Syed Yusuf Halim; members of the Supreme Court High Council; and members of the Lawyers Association, the Afghanistan Independent Bar Association, and the Ministry of Women’s Affairs and other government ministries.

The Chief Justice opened the conference by acknowledging that the government has fulfilled its obligation to increase the recruitment of women to judicial institutions. He also said the Supreme Court High Council supports the AWJA’s mission.

Ms. Ghani called AWJA a great asset for the country that has strengthened the rule of law, promoted human rights, and combatted violence against women. She emphasized the need to eliminate the culture of tolerance for such violence in Afghan society. She added that the judicial institutions need to put in place measures to addresss women’s vulnerability and tenuous access to justice, and to improve the rule of law and good governance.

Mr. Sadiq of UN Women says having more female judges will promote access to justice for female victims of violence. Photo: UN Women/Hamayoon Sediqi

The UN Women Programme Management Advisor, Syed Sadiq, said UN Women’s strategic priorities include facilitating access to justice for women. Among the many benefits of having more women in the judiciary, he said, is that it helps change popular perceptions about the appropriate roles of men and women and provides models for women to pursue other professions and leadership positions. He also said that appointment of women to the specialized and criminal courts that deal with cases of violence against women makes victims more willing to seek justice through the courts.

The Chief Justice expresses support for promoting female judges. Photo: UN Women/Hamayoon Sediqi

The AWJA conference obtained the commitment of the Supreme Court to support the AWJA and its mission, elected the head of the AWJA, finalized the group’s new strategic plan, and adopted the AWJA code of conduct and statutes.