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The International Association of Women Judges (IAWJ) is a charitable corporation registered in the District of Columbia, dedicated to the protection and promotion of human rights and in particular those of women and girls. We are committed to upholding the rule of law and to the concept of equal justice everywhere and for everyone.
The IAWJ was founded in 1991 and now has over 6000 members from some 100 jurisdictions around the world and from all levels in the court hierarchy. Its membership consists primarily of women judges but all judicial and quasi-judicial officers are eligible for membership. The IAWJ also welcomes as associate members those who support its goals, even if they are not judges.
For 30 years, the IAWJ has built networks, safe spaces, and the capacity of women judges to enable them to succeed in their leadership journeys. IAWJ has developed training curricula covering topics such as women’s leadership, sextortion, human trafficking, and LGBTQ rights. Judges access curricula through training sessions, manuals, and bench books developed by leveraging IAWJ members’ expertise. IAWJ has also created additional opportunities for engagement through the establishment of networks of expertise and interest. Two predominant initiatives are the LAC network on human trafficking and recurring South-South dialogues. IAWJ has institutional knowledge in partnering with foreign governments, working to address systemic issues, identifying change-agents, and ultimately promoting institutional reform.
IAWJ uses a “train-the-trainers” model to ensure programs respond to local institutional needs, are adaptable, and encourage local ownership. Judges conduct these trainings for other judges, and at times, in partnership with national judicial training institutes. IAWJ HQ provides members with the skills and tools to lead trainings, which are planned in response to identified local needs. The IAWJ prepares any necessary training curricula or other written materials in an iterative collaborative process with association leaders and/or their designees. Initiatives are monitored using survey tools, focus groups, or other instruments as appropriate. Leaders of these initiatives are invited to present them at IAWJ Biennial Conferences. IAWJ also works to create opportunities for information sharing by promoting regional conferences, connecting members to conferences sponsored by other organizations, hosting webinars, and holding regional dialogues.
IAWJ relies heavily on its affiliated associations for logistical, management, and administrative leadership for in-country initiatives. This promotes local ownership of projects, empowers local associations, and provides sustainability and vitality to the programs. The IAWJ hosts a biennial membership conference for members across the globe to jointly discuss trending issues, identify solutions, and share best practices. IAWJ also encourages regional conferences in the years without biennial conferences. IAWJ currently has 48 active affiliated associations, 28 of which are from the Global South.
The current president of the IAWJ is Hon Susan Glazebrook, Supreme Court of New Zealand. The President Elect, who will take over as President in 2023, is Hon. Binta Nyako, Federal High Court, Abuja, Nigeria. The Hon. Margarita Beatriz Luna Ramos, recently retired from the Supreme Court of Mexico, and the Hon Mina Sougrati, Administrative Tribunal of Casablanca, Casablanca, Morocco, are the Vice Presidents. The Secretary/Treasurer is the Hon Robyn Tupman, District Court of New South Wales, Australia. The immediate Past President is Hon Vanessa Ruiz, District of Columbia Court of Appeals, Washington DC.
The IAWJ has a two board structure comprised on the International Board and the Board of Managerial Trustees. The international board is composed of the IAWJ member- officers and includes regional representatives from Kenya, South Africa, the Philippines, New Zealand, Canada, the United States, Mexico, the Dominican Republic, Spain and Tunisia. The Board of Managerial Trustees, based in Washington, DC, works directly with the IAWJ Executive Office, headquartered in Washington, DC.
For more information about the IAWJ visit (enter website) or contact the IAWJ at office@iawj.org.