The UK Association of Women Judges has won its bid to host the prestigious International Association of Women Judges (IAWJ) conference in 2012.
The UK Association will play host to between 400 and 500 judges from around the world at the conference which will be held in London. It is a bi-ennial event and will next be held in Seoul, South Korea in 2010.
Since the IAWJ was formed in 1991, over 4,000 members at all judicial levels in more than 90 nations, uniting women judges from diverse legal-judicial systems who share a commitment to equal justice and the rule of law.
The UK Association of Women Judges, chaired by Baroness Brenda Hale, the highest-ranking female judge in the UK, has been fully supported in its bid to host the conference by Government and the most senior members of the judiciary, including the Lord Chancellor Jack Straw, Senior Law Lord, Lord Phillips of Worth Matravers, Lord Judge, the Lord Chief Justice of England & Wales.
The conference will coincide with Baroness Hale’s tenure as President of the International Association, from 2010-2012. She said:
“We are delighted to have won the bid to host this conference. It will be the first time since 2002 that it has been held in a European country and is time to raise the IAWJ profile throughout Europe.
“The UK Association prides itself on welcoming both men and women from both the full and part time judiciary in all courts and tribunals throughout the United Kingdom. Our uniting factor is not our gender but the equality and diversity issues which concern us.
“Recent IAWJ conferences have focussed on the independence and diversity of the judiciary and legal problems facing women throughout the world. Despite the progress we have made there will still be a lot to talk about in 2012.”
Lord Judge said:
“It is impossible to exaggerate the importance of enabling women to participate fully and equally in every area of society, not least the judiciary. The commitment of the International Association, as well as our own Association’s commitment, is both practical and symbolic. In my view we, in the country, must put ourselves in the vanguard in establishing these principles, and where we have lagged behind, we should make up for lost time. By holding the conference in this country we are emphasising our commitment to the world at large.
He added:
“No less important, and some may think more important, to hold a conference here would bring tangible benefit to female lawyers. At present many capable and talented women do not seriously consider a possible judicial career. A world conference here would encourage women to reflect whether they might be interested in a judicial career; and will give significant added impetus to those who may wish to apply, but for all sorts of personal reasons may not have done so yet. In other words, if the World Conference were held here, it would be likely to have a salutary effect in support of out efforts to achieve a more diverse judiciary.”
Notes to Editors
- The IAWJ believes that women judges are in a unique position to advance the rights of women through the judicial system, and to protect and empower women throughout the world. Through pioneering judicial education programs and worldwide collaboration, the IAWJ is working to advance human rights, eliminate discrimination on the basis of gender, and make courts accessible to all.
- In dialogue with women judges from all levels and different types of courts, IAWJ members share experiences and best practices in such areas as violence and discrimination against women, international child abduction and gender bias in the courts.
- More information about the International Association of Women Judges can be found on the IAWJ's official website
