Illustration of a scale of justice with photos of women judges on one side and signs reading "justice, equality, freedom, together" on the other side.
Poster for the International Day of Women Judges
Photo:United Nations

To achieve justice, we need more women in justice

Despite women’s increased engagement in public life, they remain significantly underrepresented in decision-making positions. In fact, a relatively small number of women have been, or are part of, the judiciary, particularly at senior judicial leadership positions.

Women’s representation in the judiciary is key to ensuring that courts represent their citizens, address their concerns and hand down sound judgments. By their mere presence, women judges enhance the legitimacy of courts, sending a powerful signal that they are open and accessible to those who seek recourse to justice.

The entry of women judges into spaces from which they had historically been excluded has been a positive step in the direction of judiciaries being perceived as being more transparent, inclusive, and representative of the people whose lives they affect.

By marking the day, we will reaffirm our commitment to develop and implement appropriate and effective national strategies and plans for the advancement of women in judicial justice systems and institutions at the leadership, managerial and other levels.

Join us in celebrating this International Day of Women Judges to promote the full and equal participation of women at all levels of the judiciary, to celebrate the progress that has been made and raise awareness about the challenges ahead!

Gavel

On-line event, 12 March, 9 am, NY time
Women Judges Holding the Line

The International Association of Women Judges, UNDP and UN Women, are organizing an event that brings together women judges and gender equality experts to examine strategies for expanding women’s leadership in justice systems worldwide. The event will also explore how the Gender Justice Platform — the partnership framework between UNDP and UN Women — supports women’s leadership in justice through institutional reforms, regional judicial networks, and data-driven accountability mechanisms. You can follow the event online by registering in advance here.

Women judges and the achievement of gender equality

The representation of women in the judiciary is significant for many reasons. In addition to ensuring that the legal system is developed with all of society in mind, it also inspires the next generation of female judges and motivates them to achieve their goals.

Women in the criminal justice system can act as agents of change and contribute to greater accountability. Women judges bring different perspectives and experiences, strengthening judicial systems. Women in leadership roles help disrupt networks of collusion, striking a blow against corruption.

Women’s representation in law enforcement and judicial institutions has been linked to more effective, victim-centered responses to crime.

By investing in women’s advancement and women justice leaders, we can help ensure that justice is better served and that women and all members of our societies are met with fairness and equality before the law, for the benefit of all.

Only through the active participation of women, on equal terms with men, at all levels of decision-making, we’ll be able to achieve sustainable development, peace and democracy.

The Global Judicial Integrity Network, Integrity Through the Recognition of Women Judges

Within the United Nations, the Global Judicial Integrity Network of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime brings together women judges, judges, and judicial systems from around the world to share experiences and develop solutions that strengthen integrity in justice. Through peer exchange and global dialogue, it has highlighted the importance of greater representation of women in the judiciary, contributing—together with several Member States—to the momentum that led to the establishment of the International Day of Women Judges.

The Network continues to promote gender equality and access to justice by supporting concrete measures and ongoing learning among judicial systems.

Did you know?

  • In terms of the proportion of female judges by region, Europe leads the way with an average of 54 per cent, followed by the Americas with 51 per cent. These figures contrast, however, with those for Oceania, Africa and Asia, where women account for 31 per cent, 30 per cent and 29 per cent of the total, respectively.
  • Finding the path towards equality in justice systems is a pending task in various regions of the world. Nonetheless, substantial progress has been made.
  • However, as one moves up the professional ladder, the number of women in managerial or high-ranking positions decreases considerably, and this is a constant trend at the global level.

Resources

Comission on the Status of Women

Save the dates! 9-19 March 2026

Women Judges Day

At the United Nations’ largest annual forum on gender equality, which this year focuses on women and access to justice, it is essential to highlight the role of women judges in ensuring women’s effective access to more equitable, gender-responsive justice. You can follow many of the meetings and side events online through UN Web TV.

The UNDP–UN Women Gender Justice Platform makes justice systems easier to access for women and girls. In 2024, it supported work in 45 countries, helping 125,000+ people, most of them women, strengthening 82 justice institutions, supporting 520 women in accountability processes, and trained justice professionals to deliver more survivor-centred responses. Check what they have achieved so far!

Iraq has made significant strides in increasing women's representation in the judiciary. Yet, challenges persist. Judge Taghreed Abdulmajeed Nasir talks about her journey to the bench, the challenges she has overcome, and the achievements she takes pride in as a woman judge.

 

an abstract illustration of people engaged in an event

International days and weeks are occasions to educate the public on issues of concern, to mobilize political will and resources to address global problems, and to celebrate and reinforce achievements of humanity. The existence of international days predates the establishment of the United Nations, but the UN has embraced them as a powerful advocacy tool. We also mark other UN observances.