International Day of Women Judges

Imagine a world where justice is balanced by the law and the diversity of those who interpret it. The International Day of Women Judges, celebrated March 10th, marks a pivotal moment in the journey toward equality in the judiciary.

This day was globally recognized for the first time in 2022. It followed a resolution adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on April 26, 2021. The main goal is to emphasize the essential role of women judges in enhancing the legitimacy of courts.

The day serves as a beacon, highlighting the progress and ongoing challenges in achieving gender parity within judicial systems. It is a call to action for women’s full and equal participation at all judiciary levels.

It celebrates their contributions to fair decision-making and the fight against corruption. The significance of this day is in acknowledging the achievements and advocating for a judiciary that offers diversity and inclusivity.

Establishing the International Day of Women Judges is a testament to the global commitment to gender equality.

It recognizes the vital work of the Global Judicial Integrity Network of UNODC in incorporating women’s representation issues into judicial systems, aligned with the UN Convention against Corruption.

Through educational and public awareness activities, this day promotes the advancement of women in judicial justice systems.

1937
Anna Chandy Becomes One of the World’s First Women Judges
Anna Chandy is appointed as a munsif (lower court) in the princely state of Travancore in British India, often cited as one of the first female judges in the British Commonwealth and Asia.
1959
First Woman Appointed to a High Court in India
Anna Chandy breaks another barrier when she is elevated to the Kerala High Court, becoming the first woman judge of a high court in India and a pioneer for women in South Asian judiciaries.
1970
Margarita Argúas Joins Argentina’s Supreme Court
Margarita Argúas is appointed to Argentina’s Supreme Court, recognized as the first woman to sit on the country’s highest court and a landmark figure for women judges in Latin America.
1981
Sandra Day O’Connor Becomes First Woman on the U.S. Supreme Court
Sandra Day O’Connor is sworn in as an associate justice of the Supreme Court of the United States, the first woman to serve on the Court since its creation in 1789, reshaping perceptions of judicial leadership.
2000
Ellen Gracie Northfleet Enters Brazil’s Supreme Federal Court
Ellen Gracie Northfleet is appointed as the first woman justice of Brazil’s Supreme Federal Court and later serves as its first female president, signaling broader regional shifts toward women’s judicial leadership.
2017
Global Share of Women Judges Reaches 40 Percent
United Nations data note that women account for about 40 percent of judges worldwide, up substantially from 2008, reflecting gradual but uneven progress toward gender balance in judicial systems.
2019
UNODC Highlights Gender and Judicial Integrity
The UNODC Global Judicial Integrity Network issues guidance on gender-related judicial integrity issues such as harassment and “sextortion,” emphasizing how women judges are central to strengthening trust in courts.

History of International Day of Women Judges

The United Nations General Assembly officially set this day on April 26, 2021. The first time was observed globally on March 10, 2022.

It emphasizes women judges’ critical role in promoting gender equality and upholding judicial integrity and diversity.

The day serves multiple purposes. Firstly, it highlights the importance of women’s representation in the judiciary to ensure courts represent their population and address concerns. The presence of women judges enhances the legitimacy and accessibility of courts.

They contribute to a judiciary to be more transparent, inclusive, and representative. Additionally, it reaffirms the commitment to develop and implement national strategies for advancing women within judicial systems at all levels, from leadership to managerial positions.

The establishment of this day represents a significant milestone in global efforts toward achieving gender equality.

By celebrating this day, there’s a collective acknowledgment of including women in the judiciary and recognizing the challenges ahead.

How to Celebrate International Day of Women Judges

To celebrate the International Day of Women Judges on March 10, you can engage in a variety of activities.

These activities highlight the importance of gender equality in the judiciary and honor the contributions of women judges. Here are some suggestions:

Speak Up for Women’s Rights

Use your voice on social media to discuss how women judges contribute to justice. Sharing stories and achievements of women judges can inspire others and raise awareness.

Boost Female Empowerment

Create opportunities for women, such as organizing an internship program for women interested in legal careers. This can help encourage more women to pursue roles in the judiciary and other areas of law.

Support Underprivileged Women

Look for ways to help women who lack basic needs or rights. Advocating for those who are marginalized can make a significant difference in their lives. You can highlight the need for equal representation in all sectors, including the judiciary.

Educate and Raise Public Awareness

Participate in educational events that focus on the role of women in the judiciary. This can include panel discussions, webinars, or public forums that discuss the challenges and achievements of women judges.

Engage in Solidarity Actions

Show your support for women judges worldwide, including those who face persecution or discrimination. Standing in solidarity with these women sends a powerful message of unity and resilience.

Promote Intellectual Property (IP) Awareness

Intellectual property cases offer unique challenges and opportunities for women judges. Celebrating their contributions to this field can inspire others to pursue specialized areas of law.

Facts About International Day of Women Judges

Women Judges Still Absent From Many Top Courts

Despite global gains, women remain rare in many countries’ highest courts. In India, women made up just 13 percent of High Court judges in 2023 and, at that time, no woman had ever served as chief justice of any of the 24 High Courts.

Across the Pacific region, a 2019 study found that only 10 percent of all judges were women, and women were even less represented among foreign judges appointed to serve there.

Global Share of Women Judges Has Risen Sharply

Data compiled for the United Nations shows that women accounted for about 40 percent of judges worldwide in 2017, which represented a 35 percent increase compared with 2008.

Even so, this global figure masks large regional disparities, with some regions approaching parity and others still having overwhelmingly male benches, especially at appellate and supreme court levels.

Women Judges Are Overrepresented in Some Regions and Levels

In parts of Europe and other OECD countries, women now outnumber men on many lower and mid‑level courts.

A 2020 analysis found that women held an average of 57.2 percent of judgeships in OECD countries (excluding the United States), and by 2022 women made up around 60 percent of all judges in Europe.

Yet at European supreme courts, women’s representation fell to about 43 percent, and only about a quarter of court presidents were women.

Women Reached International Courts Only Recently

Although women began serving as judges in some national courts in the late 19th century, they did not appear on international courts until 1995.

Even today, women’s presence varies widely across global tribunals: around 2020, women held about 61 percent of judgeships at the International Criminal Court, but only about 27 percent at the International Court of Justice and roughly 29 percent at the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea.

Gender‑Diverse Benches Can Change How Justice Is Delivered

Studies and policy analyses from UN bodies report that courts with more women judges are better equipped to recognize and correct gender bias, particularly in cases of sexual and gender‑based violence.

UNDP notes that women judges have been central to decisions that reject victim‑blaming, challenge stereotypes, and strengthen protections for survivors, which in turn encourages more victims to seek help from the justice system.

Women Judges Help Tackle Corruption and “Sextortion”

The UN Office on Drugs and Crime has documented how increasing the number of women in judicial and other leadership roles can disrupt informal networks of collusion that enable corruption.

Through the Global Judicial Integrity Network, UNODC has highlighted women judges’ role in exposing “sextortion,” where sexual favors are demanded instead of bribes, and in pushing courts to recognize it as a form of corruption and abuse of power.

Public Trust in Courts Rises With Women’s Representation

UN guidance on judicial diversity points out that when court users see women on the bench, they are more likely to view the institution as open, accessible, and representative of society.

This symbolic effect, combined with the substantive impact of more inclusive decision‑making, helps strengthen confidence in the rule of law and can make marginalized groups more willing to bring their cases before the courts.

International Day of Women Judges FAQs

Do women judges actually change how courts decide cases?

Research suggests that when more women serve as judges, courts are more likely to take gender‑based harms seriously and to develop jurisprudence that better reflects women’s lived experiences, especially in areas such as family law, sexual violence, discrimination, and workplace rights.

Studies and case histories show that women judges can introduce different perspectives and questions in deliberations, which may influence legal reasoning and outcomes, though they remain bound by the same laws and procedural rules as their male colleagues.

Why does having women on the bench increase public trust in the justice system?

The presence of women judges signals that courts are open to, and representative of, the whole population, which can strengthen public confidence in their fairness.

United Nations analyses note that when court users see people like themselves in positions of authority, they are more likely to view proceedings as accessible and legitimate, particularly in sensitive cases involving gender‑based violence or family disputes.

Are women equally represented in all levels of the judiciary worldwide?

No. While women’s presence in the judiciary has grown, they remain underrepresented in many senior and apex courts.

UN data show that about 40 percent of judges worldwide were women in 2017, but women hold a significantly smaller share of positions in supreme courts and in court presidencies compared with lower courts, especially in regions such as Latin America and parts of Asia and the Pacific.

What are the main barriers that prevent women from becoming judges?

Common barriers include gender bias in legal education and hiring, opaque or highly politicized appointment processes, and informal networks that favor male candidates.

In some countries, women also face obstacles such as unequal caregiving expectations, lack of mentoring and professional support, and even harassment or threats when they handle corruption or gender‑based violence cases.

These factors combine to slow women’s progress, particularly into higher courts and leadership roles.

Do women judges face specific risks or backlash because of their gender?

Women judges can face targeted online abuse, reputational attacks, and threats of physical violence, especially when they rule in politically sensitive or gender‑based violence cases.

International judicial organizations have documented instances where women judges endure sexist harassment in court, pressure from peers or superiors, and security concerns that are closely tied to gender stereotypes and hostility toward women in public life.

How does the representation of women judges differ between countries or regions?

Patterns vary widely. In many European countries, women are now a majority in lower courts but still less than half in supreme courts and as court presidents.

Some OECD states report women making up more than half of all judges overall, while in parts of Latin America, South Asia, and the Pacific, women hold only a small fraction of senior judicial posts.

These disparities reflect differences in legal systems, appointment rules, social norms, and the strength of gender equality policies.

What strategies have proven effective for increasing gender equality in the judiciary?

Effective strategies include transparent selection and promotion criteria, active recruitment of qualified women, mentorship and leadership programs, and regular publication of judicial diversity statistics.

International bodies such as the UN and the International Association of Women Judges also recommend national action plans, training on bias and judicial integrity, and clear commitments to gender parity in appointments, especially to higher courts and judicial councils.