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International Newsletter of the International Association of Women Judges
Fall 2007, vol. 14, No. 1
Panama Prepares Board of Directors
for 2008 IAWJ and Executive Council
Conference Meet in London
The IAWJ is gearing up for its 9th Biennial International Conference to be
held March 25-28, 2008, in Panama City, Panama. The theme of the
Conference, Justice for All: Access, Discrimination, Violence and
Corruption, continues the IAWJ’s mission to provide relevant and interesting
topics to its members. The members of the conference organizing committee
in Panama have been working hard with Joan Winship, IAWJ Executive
Director, to finalize the program. We hope that this will be the best IAWJ
conference yet and encourage all members to attend.
Conference sessions will include such topics as the Hague Family
Conventions, the role of courts in the face of the HIV/AIDS pandemic,
judicial access, economic discrimination, trafficking, and violence against
women.
Members of the IAWJ’s Board of Directors and Executive Council
In addition to the IAWJ business meeting, there will be five regional meetings On March 15-16, 2007, members of the IAWJ’s Board of Directors and Executive
for the election of regional representatives to the IAWJ Board of Directors. Council held their annual meeting in London. This meeting set a record for
There will also be opportunities for exploration of Panama City and the attendance with four members of the Executive Council and eight members of
surrounding sites. A special evening event will be hosted by the Panama the Board of Directors in attendance. The IAWJ is grateful to the International
Canal Authority on the shore of the Panama Canal. Bar Association for providing the meeting space.
Above all, IAWJ conferences provide opportunities for members to meet IAWJ Executive Director Joan D. Winship reported on the work of the Association
each other, to build friendships, to participate in stimulating intellectual since the Sydney Conference, new programming, and the IAWJ’s financial
discussions, and contribute to an enlightened Judiciary. situation. The board members and officers discussed the Canadian Chapter’s
decision to send a fundraising letter to its membership on behalf of the IAWJ, the
More information about the conference and the registration form are on
planning of the Panama Conference in 2008, and the recent meeting of the
pages 9 and 10. The IAWJ also offers online registration at its website,
Hague Conference.
www.iawj.org.
Members of the Korean Chapter of the IAWJ made a presentation bid for hosting
the IAWJ’s 10th Biennial Conference. After a discussion, the board members and
officers voted to hold the conference in Seoul, South Korea, in 2010.
The group also decided that regional meetings should take place in the year in
which there is not a biennial conference.
In addition, after much consideration, the board members and officers agreed to
increase the dues starting on January 1, 2008. (See page 3 for the new dues
photo by I.G.-M.
structure.)
After the business portion of the meeting on the second day, the board members
and officers participated in a board capacity-building training led by Cynthia
Panama City’s skyline seen at night Haddock Hughes, a U.K. consultant.
Cross-Border Programming in JEP in East Africa
Central America During the past year, IAWJ associations working on the Jurisprudence
On March 29 and 30, 2007, of Equality Program (JEP) conducted trainings in Tanzania and Kenya.
five judges from Central Tanzania
America and one from Mexico On December 13-15, 2006, the Tanzania Women Judges
met with Judge Vanessa Ruiz Association (TAWJ) hosted a training seminar on Human Rights &
(USA) and IAWJ staff at the HIV/AIDS for magistrates at the Dar Es Salaam Conference Center. In
Washington headquarters. addition, jointly with the Tanzanian Women Lawyers Association (TWLA),
The judges – Ana Luisa the TAWJ also produced a training manual entitled “Human Rights &
Meseguer Monge and HIV/AIDS Training Manual for Training Judges and Magistrates.” The
Cristina Viquez Cerdas from Rapid Funding Envelope for HIV/AIDS was the sponsor for the
Costa Rica, Silvia Marina publication of the manual.
Collaborative discussion at the Cross-Borders
Franco and Angela del The Registrar for the courts funded six TAWJ JEP trainers to travel to
Consultation.
Carmen Torres Colombani Lushoto to train 117 second-year diploma-in-law students on January
from El Salvador, Josselynne Bejar from Mexico, and Selma Herrera Kivers 23-25, 2007, before they graduated. The TAWJ believes that such
and Ileana Turner Montenegro from Panama — had all taken part in a consultation training is essential for students so that, when they become magistrates,
in El Salvador two years earlier, where they had made recommendations on they are able to uphold the laws concerning discrimination against
cross-border programming in the region. At the Washington meeting, they compared women.
notes on recent developments in their countries concerning trafficking in persons, Kenya
gang violence, and labor migration, and reviewed and approved curricular modules Kenya Women Judges Association carried out the 2007 JEP
on these topics that the IAWJ prepared in response to their earlier recommendations. trainings in Nakuru. The trainers were Hon. Lady Justice Ang’awa,
There is tremendous interest in IAWJ judicial training programs on trafficking. from the High Court, and Magistrate Praxedes Tororey. Participants
examined gender violence under the international criminal court,
stereotypes, other international conventions, and Kenya’s new domestic
violence law.
Consultation participants with IAWJ staff and Board Member
Is your chapter doing anything on this topic? Have you seen trafficking issues
in your courtroom? If so, please drop us a note or e-mail, at office@iawj.org,
telling us about your experience and knowledge. Participants at a 2007 KWJA workshop
International Initiative Sparks Excitement
by Justice Petra E. Newton
The seed was planted at the IAWJ Biennial Conference in Sydney, Australia, judiciary by increasing the awareness of women and girls in Benin with
for joint sponsorship between the Benin Association of Women Judges respect to careers in law and the magistature. The brochure will document
and the Canadian Chapter of the IAWJ (CCIAWJ) of an endeavour to the role of women judges in Benin in the evolution of custom and women’s
publish a brochure to support women and girls in Benin. The brochure, Rôle rights.
des femmes juges dans l’évolution du droit en faveur de la femme et de
The CCIAWJ Board of Directors approved the proposal in March 2007,
l’enfant au Bénin (The Role of Women Judges in the Evolution of Women and
resulting in a letter of commitment, which was signed by Hon. France
Children’s Rights in Benin), is the culmination of efforts by Benin Justice Claire
Thibault, President of the Canadian Chapter and Hon. Jeanne-Agnès
Ayemonna-Houngen and the members of the CCIAWJ Twinning Committee,
Ayadokoun, President of AIFJ-Benin. The CCIAWJ agreed to contribute
Justices Shehni Dossa, Patricia Hennessy, Thea Herman, Constance
$6,500.00 (CDN) to this worthwhile project.
Hunt, Petra Newton, Virginia Schuler, Juanita Westmoreland-Traoré
and Donna Wilson. Le Bureau du Fonds des Nations Unies pour la population (UNFPA) and
AIFJ-Benin agreed to comprehensive conditions to ensure timely publication
Since the discussions in Sydney, there have been considerable post-conference
and extensive distribution. It is anticipated that the brochure will be available
correspondence and numerous meetings to refine the focus of this important
at the March 2008 biennial conference of the IAWJ in Panama.
undertaking.
This initiative is a tangible example of the potential for the IAWJ to make a
One of the goals of the project is to enhance the profile of women in the difference in the lives of women and girls in developing nations and the
2 effectiveness of international discourse.
IAWJ and Georgetown University IAWJ Receives
Law Center Host Generous Gift from
Baroness Brenda Hale Justice Carmen Argibay
On October 11, 2007, at an IAWJ-sponsored reception at the Embassy of
Argentina in Washington, DC, Executive Director Joan Winship had the privilege
to announce a gift of $50,000 to the Association from Justice Carmen Argibay,
the first woman nominated to the Supreme Court of Argentina. Justice Argibay
was visiting Washington to receive the prestigious 2007 Gruber International
Prize for Justice at a ceremony the day before. The shared $500,000 prize
and gold medals were awarded by the Peter and Patricia Gruber Foundation
to three recipients from Latin America to recognize their contributions to the
cause of justice delivered through the legal system. Justice Argibay’s donation
to the IAWJ was made in recognition of her support of and commitment to the
work of the International Association of Women Judges.
Baroness Hale and Justice Ginsburg with members of the IAWJ BMT and
dean of GULC.
On September 24, 2007, Alex Aleinikoff, Dean of Georgetown University
Law Center (GULC), and Joan Winship, IAWJ Executive Director, hosted a
luncheon in honor of Baroness Brenda Hale of the United Kingdom.
Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Supreme Court of the United States and
IAWJ member, joined members of the IAWJ’s Board of Managerial Trustees
to welcome Baroness Hale. Founder and president of the United Kingdom
Association of Women Judges (UKAWJ), she was the first woman to join the
British House of Lords as ‘Lord of Appeal in Ordinary’ in 2004. Hon. Patricia Wald and Hon. Carmen Argibay talk about the
In 1984, Baroness Hale was the first woman to be appointed a member of role of women judges in modern society.
the Law Commission, where she oversaw a number of important family law
Winship said, “This generous gift truly demonstrates Justice Argibay’s humility,
reforms in the UK. She became a judge in the Family Division of the High
her commitment to justice and the rights of women, and her commitment to and
Court of Justice in 1994, and in 1999 was the second woman to be promoted
love for the IAWJ, our members and our work.” Justice Argibay was the
to the Court of Appeal.
founder of the Argentine Association of Women Judges (AMJA) and served as
Baroness Hale was in Washington to deliver the annual Thomas F. Ryan president of the IAWJ from 1998-2000. Immediately prior to her appointment to
Lecture at Georgetown Law Center. She spoke on the topic “Human Rights the Supreme Court of Argentina, she served as a judge on the International
in the Age of Terrorism”. Following several days at GULC, she traveled to Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia in The Hague.
Yale University where she also met IAWJ BMT member, Professor Judith
Argentine Ambassador to the United States José Octavio Bordón hosted and
Resnik.
provided wine for the reception from his personal collection from Mendoza,
Argentina.
New IAWJ Dues Structure Maureen Bunyan, ABC TV Channel 7 news anchor, moderated the event.
At their last annual meeting in March 2007 in London, the IAWJ’s Board
Hon. Claire L’Heureux Dubé, former Justice of the Supreme Court of Canada,
of Directors and Executive Council voted unanimously to increase the
introduced Justice Carmen Argibay. The evening’s main event was a
IAWJ’s membership dues structure in order to increase financial support
conversation between Justice Argibay and Hon. Patricia Wald, former Chief
for the organization. Beginning on January 1, 2008, the new dues will
Judge of the U.S. Circuit Court for the District of Columbia and former Judge of
be:
the International Criminal Tribunal for Former Yugoslavia. The two judges
US$20 per person for Association members
discussed how to implement human rights practices in the judiciary. After their
US$25 per person for Individual members
discussion, Ms. Bunyan led a question and answer session with the two judges.
US$50 for Amicus judicii members (non-judicial)
There is no ceiling or cap on membership dues payments.
Another reminder to IAWJ members: All those wishing to attend the
IAWJ’s 9th Biennial Conference in Panama in March 2008 must be
current paid members of the Association. For those coming to the Panama
Conference, their 2008 dues must be paid by the time of the conference.
Since the conference is taking place earlier than in previous years,
invoices will be sent out at the end of December 2007 and associations
and individuals will be encouraged to complete their payments by March
1, 2008. Ambassador José Octavio Bordón welcomes guests to the 3
Embassy of Argentina.
AWJA Holds First Annual Meeting in Kabul IAWJ Leaders Visit Kabul
On February 21, 2007, the Afghan Women Judges In February 2007 IAWJ
Association (AWJA) hosted its first annual meeting in Executive Director, Joan
Kabul. With support from the IAWJ through funding from Winship, and Hon.
the U.S. State Department, the AWJA was able to gather its Patricia Whalen
50 women members, including several now serving in traveled to Kabul as part
Herat, and more than 20 others who are serving in vari- of the follow up program
ous ministries. The morning program featured a speech to the IAWJ’s Afghan
by Hon. Marzia Basel, AWJA founder, about the current Women Judges Judicial IAWJ and AWJA representatives meet with
state of the association, its mission and programs. A male Education program that Chief Justice Azimi.
member of the Supreme Court spoke about the Five Year AWJA intern welcomes was conducted in 2004 and 2006. Judge Whalen has been the co-
Strategic Program to Rehabilitate the Supreme Court, and participants. director of the Vermont portion of those programs. In Kabul Winship
Professor Rasooli, senior advisor to the Ministry of Justice spoke about legal reforms. and Whalen attended meetings, were graciously hosted by members
Several other male members of the Court also observed the meeting. IAWJ Executive of the Afghan Women Judges Association (AWJA) in their private
Director, Joan Winship, presented the homes, met with participants of the earlier programs to discuss the
IAWJ and its work, and Hon. Patricia impact of their participation, attended the graduations of the High
Whalen (USA) spoke about the im- School Legal Awareness Programs, and met with the lawyers of the
portance of women’s leadership. AWJA Legal Aid project. Despite tight security, Winship and Whalen
Winship and Whalen led the participants had excellent access to members of the AWJA and high officials and
in a capacity-building workshop in the were able to have separate meetings with the Chief Justice of
afternoon. Members of the AWJA spoke Afghanistan, the Minister of Women’s Affairs, another Supreme Court
about challenges they face and their Justice, a senior advisor to the Ministry of Justice and four elected
AWJA members attend the first annual meeting.
hopes for the work of the AWJA. women parliamentarians.
Winship and
AWJA Works to Promote Women’s Rights Whalen heard often
The Afghan Women Judges As- about the many
sociation (AWJA) has been active challenges the
since its inception in promoting courts, especially
women’s rights in the community. One women judges,
of its longest running programs is the face during their
Legal Awareness for Afghan Women country’s time of
IAWJ visits the family court. transition. Among
and Girls. The program’s main goals
Three young graduates of the Legal Awareness for the challenges are the need for more qualified judges to the bench,
are to teach students about national
Afghan Women and Girls Program
and international laws and gaining ac- low judicial salaries and consequent corruption, lack of public
cess judicial institutions in Afghanistan; to empower and encourage women to defend knowledge of new rights, and the need for increased respect for
their rights; and to decrease the number of early engagements and forced marriages. basic rule of law. Constitutional courts are primarily located in Kabul
To date, the program has reached more than 3,000 male and female students in Kabul and there is a need to establish additional courts throughout the
and Ghazni. In February, IAWJ leaders Winship and Whalen participated in the provinces around the country. Moreover, the courts in which the
graduation ceremonies of more than 320 girls and teachers from two Kabul high women judges work need basic improvements – from electricity,
schools, awarding certificates from the IAWJ and AWJA to each. The program was meeting and work space, and courtrooms that are separate from the
supported by the IAWJ as well other international donors such as US-Afghan Leaders one office they now share with colleagues. There is also a need for
Connect, GTZ and the US State Department. continuous judicial education for all judges and it is essential that
women judges be included.
The AWJA has also been actively promoting
women’s rights in the provinces. It has initiated a Together Judge Whalen and Joan Winship expressed their admiration
Legal Aid program, hiring four male lawyers to for the amazing tenacity and courage of the women judges of
provide legal aid and public education outreach Afghanistan, their deep commitment to educating others, advancing
to women in three provinces outside Kabul. The equal justice, and encouraging the next generation. The judges
focus is to explain to women their new rights and remain determined and hopeful, despite the many challenges they
to provide legal aid and representation to women. face.
Funding for this program has come primarily
Two of the four lawyers who work for
through the German international development the Legal Aid Program
agency, GTZ.
Additionally, during its judicial education training program for Afghan women judges in
2006, the IAWJ learned that the women judges did not have written copies of their own
laws and international laws. In collaboration, the IAWJ and AWJA purchased and
distributed copies of law books, civil and criminal codes, and international instruments
to each of the 50 AWJA members as well as the 20 women judges working in ministries.
4 IAWJ meets with Minister of Women’s Affairs.
Implementing Kenya’s Role of Women Judges Associations: A
Sexual Offenses Act into Perspective from Uganda
By: Henrietta Wolayo
Law Secretary, NAWJ(U) and Registrar of the Supreme Court of Uganda
After the Kenyan Parliament passed the Sexual Offenses All over the world, female judicial officers have risen to the occasion and mobilized colleagues
Act of 2006, Hon. Joyce Aluoch was appointed the chair- to form national associations of women judges, affiliated with the global body, the IAWJ. The
person of a multi-disciplinary taskforce of 27 members drawn National Association of Women Judges - Uganda (NAWJ(U)) is one such organization
from key government ministries and the public to implement with a membership of women judges, registrars, magistrates, and honorary male members.
the law. When the association was first launched in 1995, the judiciary wished to know why the women
The Act introduces the concept of a “vulnerable witness,” should form an association when the Uganda Judicial Officers Association was all-inclusive.
defined as a child, a person with mental disabilities, or an The justification for a women’s association lies in the need to maintain the right to equality and
elderly person who needs more than usual court protec- equal treatment high on the political agenda. One sure way of doing this is the formation of an
tion. The law also introduces the concept of an “intermedi- association of women professionals. Enshrining the right to equality in national constitutions did
ary,” a person with special expertise who is authorized by not automatically translate into equal treatment of women in the homes, community, workplace,
the court to give evidence on behalf of a vulnerable witness. and the judicial process. Neither did it translate into automatic repeal of customs, legislation, and
The goal of the taskforce that Judge Aluoch heads is to laws that are discriminatory or have discriminatory consequences for women.
establish safe houses for sexually abused girls, or victim Since its formation, the NAWJ(U) has made its contribution to national development through
support units, in all districts across Kenya. training judicial officers in the application of international human rights instruments and crafting
To this end, Hon. Aluoch traveled to Naivasha, a town appropriate remedies in domestic courts. The NAWJ(U) through the IAWJ’s Jurisprudence of
outside Nairobi, to visit a safe house run by the local Rotary Equality Program trained over 200 judicial officers and this has resulted in improved quality of
Club. She was accompanied by Hon. Njoki Ndungu, the justice cases involving such issues as sexual offence, divorce, and equitable division of
member of the Kenyan Parliament who proposed the Sexual matrimonial property.
Offenses Act, spearheaded the debate on the Bill, and per- Through the NAWJ(U), women judges traversed the country teaching women about the
suaded other Parliamentarians to support it. available remedies in domestic violence cases through drama and distribution of a book on
domestic violence that has been translated into local languages. The NAWJ(U) publishes the
Women’s Judicial Times, a journal that contains educational articles targeting judicial officers
and legal researchers.
In addition, on the international scene, the NAWJ(U) hosted the first Africa regional conference
in August 1996 on domestic violence, marriage and property rights, and in May 2004, hosted
the 7th Biennial Conference of the IAWJ, at the Imperial Resort Beach, Entebbe. Justice L.M.
Kikonyogo, President of the IAWJ (2002 -2004), chaired the conference committee for this first
IAWJ conference held in Africa. The theme of the conference was ‘Access to Justice’ and the
conference was honored with a keynote address from Ambassador Gertrude I. Mongella M.P.,
the first women President of the Pan African Parliament.
Hon. Joyce Aluoch and Hon. Njoki Ndungu, MP (center),
officially open a safe house. Current NAWJ(U) efforts in collaboration with the IAWJ are aimed at developing a curriculum
for a new program, Jurisprudence of Equality in a Time of HIV/AIDS. Women in Africa are
already disadvantaged by historical factors in the area of education, access to health facilities,
Taking the Naivasha safe house as a model,Hon. Aluoch and access to justice. Under the scourge of HIV/AIDS their situation can only get worse. It’s
and Hon. Njoki want to create centers where children can against this background that the NAWJ(U), in partnership with IAWJ, is developing a training
be removed from their abusers who are too often family curriculum to sensitize judicial officers to the links between gender and HIV/AIDS so that they
members. The task force hopes to provide trained staff, can better appreciate the legal needs of people affected by the pandemic.
including psychologists, and children’s officers to run these
centers which should also be able to provide children with As national associations continue to embrace their role in national development, members
basic education as they recover from the trauma that may should constantly update themselves on the latest decisions on gender equality and actively
have incurred from their ordeal. participate in seminars and workshops organized by other key actors engaged in the same
cause.
The Kenya Women Judges Association plans to work
with the Task Force to create training manuals for judges IAWJ Has a New Address
and magistrates on the Sexual Offenses Act. They are cur-
rently seeking funds for this project. Please update your address books! The IAWJ moved into new offices. Our new contact
information is: IAWJ
The IAWJ Welcomes 600 New Jersey Ave., NW
New Associations in: Gewirz Building, Rm. 110
Washington, DC 20001
Congo Brazzaville, Malawi,
Telephone: 1-202-661-6501;Fax: 1-202-661-6511
Mongolia, Rwanda Website: www.iawj.org; Email: office@iawj.org
5
World News Report
Afghanistan – The professional student at the Center for Administrative
Afghan Women Training and Improvement of Benin, specializing
Judges Association as magistrate. She completed her professional
lost one of its members training at the Ecole Nationale de Magistrature in
in February 2007. Hon. Paris, France. She is currently the president of
Karima Ahmadi worked the High Court of Justice of Benin, the first woman
Hon. Karima Ahmadi at the Narcotics Court in to ever hold this position.
Kabul, Afghanistan. She Argentine participants at the II National Conference of India – Hon. Gita Mittal of the Delhi High Court
participated in the IAWJ’s Judicial Exchange Judges. reported that the last year has been wonderful in
Program for Afghan Women Judges in June 2006. On September 6 to 7, 2007, the Supreme Court of terms of interaction with IAWJ members from other
She hosted IAWJ Executive Director, Joan D. Argentina hosted the Second National Conference countries. Justice Kalpana Rawal from Kenya visited
Winship and Hon. Patricia Whalen at her house of Judges in Salta, Argentina. Conference sessions India in the summer of 2006 with a delegation of
during their trip to Kabul. The IAWJ extends its dealt with the following subjects: judicial judges. In December Justice Graciela Dixon,
sympathy and support to Judge Ahmadi’s family. independence by Sra. Ministro Dra. Carmen President of the IAWJ and President of the Supreme
Argentina – The Asociación de Mujeres Argibay; reduction of the legal proceedings by Court of Panama, visited Hon. Mittal. Justice Dixon
Jueces de Argentina (AMJA) hosted a reception Sra. Ministro Dra. Elena Highton de Nolasco; and had lunch with all the judges in the Delhi High Court,
for IAWJ President Hon. Graciela Dixon on April judicial management by Dr.Ricardo Lorenzetti. and Judge Mittal hosted a tea for her which was
13, 2007. Hon. Carmen Argibay, Hon. Elena Benin – Hon. attended by the Chief Justice, his wife and over 50
Highton and friends of AMJA attended along with Clotilde Aniouvi women judges.
AMJA President Dra. Cristina Camiña. M e d e g a n
Nougobe was
invited to join the High
Level Commission
on the Legal
Empowerment of the
Poor (HLCLEP), an
Hon. Clotilde Aniouvi
organization hosted
Medegan Nougobe by the United Nations
Development Hon. Graciela Dixon and her host, Hon. Gita Mittal
AMJA members with Hon. Graciela Dixon (on far right), meets with judges from India.
Program (UNDP) that focuses specifically on the
link between exclusion, poverty and law. The
From August 23 to 25, 2007 in Rosary, Argentina, HLCLEP is comprised of policymakers with Judge Mittal also had an opportunity to meet Chief
the AMJA organized and hosted the XIV expertise in the planning and implementation of Justice Beverley McLachin P.C. of the Supreme
Conference on National Human Rights, Justice complex reform processes directed toward the Court of Canada, who visited the High Court. In
and Violence (XIV Encuentro Nacional Derechos public good. HLCLEP members are working addition, she met Baroness Brenda Hale, of the
Humanos, Justicia y Violencia). Approximately together to generate political support for broad UK House of Lords when Baronness Hale deliv-
150 judges from all over the country participated. reforms to ensure legal inclusion and empowerment ered a lecture in Delhi.
Dra. Cristina Camiña opened the Conference of the poor; explore ways for the poor to gain
Italy – Hon. Fernanda Cervetti delivered a
along with Dra. Susana Medina de Rizzo. access to legal, fungible property rights; develop
speech at a Conference organized by the
an inventory of successful experiences based on
Supreme Council of Magistrature and attended by
the work of governments, civil society, multilateral
number of Italian politicians. Hon. Cervetti invited
organizations and NGOs; and to produce a set of
the Supreme Council of Magistrature and the Italian
practical, adaptable tools to guide policy-makers
government to cooperate with IAWJ to introduce
reform efforts at the country level. Hon. Medegan
the Jurisprudence of Equality Program in Italy and
Nougobe joined the Commission in January 2007
Europe. She would also like to communicate with
representing Francophone Africa.
colleagues in Europe about sentences,
Hon. Medegan Nougobe was born in Adjohoun, conferences and other juridical matters of common
Benin. After completing her MA in Legal Studies at interest. If you would like to contact Judge Cervetti,
Speakers at the 10th Conference on National Human the National University of Benin, she enrolled as please send an email to the IAWJ headquarters,
Rights in Argentina
office@iawj.org.
6
World News Report
Jordan – Judge Ihsan Barakat of Jordan was On Feb 12 2007, Hon. Oil Trees Park in Tun-Cherng Township, where
recently appointed as Chief Justice of the West Kyoung-Ran Cho, the they watched plum pickling and pottery making,
Amman Court of First Instance by the Jordanian former Presiding Judge and then went to exhibitions at the Yingge Ceramics
Judicial Council. In this position Judge Barakat is of the Seoul Central Museum. Hon. Pi-Hu Hsu reported that the
in charge of all 22 judges of the court along with District Court was sworn Taiwan Chapter conducts these activities to
the 81 administrative staff persons. She also in as the Presiding strengthen the relationships among members and
oversees the working procedures of the court and Judge of the Daejeon to help the Chapter grow.
manages the court’s executive department and High Court. She is the The Judicial Yuan appointed Hon. Jiin-Fang Lin,
the Public Notary. 5th woman to be on the Chief Judge of the Taipei District Court, as a new
Judge Barakat is the first woman in Jordan to be Hon. Kyoung-Ran Cho position of High Court justice on the Supreme Court of Taiwan.
head of a court. She started practicing law in 1996, Presiding Judge.
United Kingdom – The United Kingdom
founded her own law firm and was the first woman On March 30 2007, Hon.
Association of Women Judges held its Third
judge to serve on Jordan’s appeals court. The So-Young Kim gave a
Annual Meeting on March 18-19, 2007 in
decision to appoint Judge Barakat came after a presentation to 76 women
Birmingham, England. The theme of the meeting
meeting between Jordan’s Queen Rania with 32 judges from all over the
was “Crossing the Boundaries” and featured a
women judges working on the local courts. nation about her
panel of speakers who addressed cross border
experience of working as
Kenya – The Kenyan Women Judges issues with a European focus, including human
the Chief Judge of the
Association is in the process of developing a trafficking, immigration, and child abduction.
Kong-ju Branch Court.
Strategic Plan. The association had a booth during Hon. So-Young Kim Several IAWJ Board members attended following
She emphasized that
the judiciary open days held on February 16-17, their meeting in London.
more women judges should actively seek
2007. The open days were designed to encourage
administrative work in the Korean judiciary. Many
mutual engagement between the Judiciary and
women judges, especially the young women
the general public, foster public understanding of
judges, said that they were greatly inspired by
the role and function of the judiciary, and gauge
Justice So-Young Kim’s talk.
the public’s needs and aspirations with respect to
the administration of justice in the country in order On May 18 2007, Hon. Min-Gu Kang delivered a
to inform ongoing judicial reforms. speech on ‘The Role of Women Judges in the
Information-Oriented Society’. He stressed that it is
Hon. Joyce Aluoch continues to be active on the Third Annual Meeting of the UKAWJ
important not only to organize data but also to share
UN Committee on the Rights of the Child in Geneva.
data with each other. United States – Hon. Evelyn Coburn visited
Hon. Aluoch has enrolled in a Masters Degree
Program in Law and Diplomacy from the Fletcher Nigeria – In July 2007, the National Association Indonesia this summer and met with women judges
School of Law and Diplomacy, Tufts University, in of Women Judges Nigeria (NAWJN) held its there.
Medford, Massachusetts, USA, through distance biennial meeting in Lagos. The focus was JEP Hon. Susan Gauvey visited the Taiwan Chapter
learning. She will be in residence periodically at and HIV/AIDS. NAWJN members from all over of the IAWJ in June 2007. Hon. Gauvey visited
Tufts during the 2007-2008 year. Nigeria met to report on the executive’s activities the Taipei District Court and spoke with judges
Korea – The biggest news from the Korean for the past 2 years. about mediation issues. The Taiwan Chapter also
Chapter of the IAWJ during the first half of 2007 hosted her for lunch.
is that the Chapter has been chosen to host the
2010 Biennial Conference. The members of the
Counterbalance International
Korea Chapter are more enthusiastic than ever in is published in English, Spanish and
preparing the conference. French. Past issues may be found at
www.iawj.org
On Jan 19 2007, the members of the Korean Taiwan Chapter members at the Tung Oil Trees Park Production: H. Thuan Do
Chapter of the IAWJ heard a lecture from Hon. Contributors: A. DeCamp, A. Goldstein,
Taiwan Chapter – The Taiwan Chapter of the
Cheon Won-Yeol, who has translated C. Graae, R. Verret, J. Winship
IAWJ visited the Tung Oil Trees Park and the
“Democracy and Distrust” by John Hart Ely into Articles for the newsletter are welcome and
Yingge Ceramics Museum in Taipei County on
Korean. After the lecture, a general meeting was should be submitted to IAWJ headquarters.
April 21, 2007. A total of 37 members and their
held to organize the annual program of the Chapter.
relatives attended the tour, first visiting the Tung
7
Mella Carroll Memorial
On the Record Fund Honors Past
IAWJ President
Dear IAWJ Members and Friends: Former IAWJ president, Hon. Mella
Carroll died on January 16, 2006,
Greetings from the IAWJ offices in Washington! 2007 has been after a long and brave battle with
a year of movement for the IAWJ – in more ways than one. Our cancer.
programs are going strong and our membership is growing.
We are delighted that new associations are being formed in Hon. Mella Carroll was the first
diverse regions of Africa and Asia. We are proud of the many woman named to the High Court in
accomplishments of our individual members as we welcome Ireland. She served on that court
new women judges to the bench and congratulate others being from 1980 to 2005. During that time,
promoted to new and higher positions. The news we receive Justice Carroll also headed the
from members is fascinating. We are excited hear about the Commission on the Status of Women,
important work you are doing and the critical decisions that you are making. which in 1993 produced a compre-
hensive document detailing the de-
When I meet with representatives of international organizations, governments and donors, I mands of Irish women for equality.
speak about the critical importance of the work of the courts. As people work on issues of
Hon. Mella Carroll Justice Carroll was born in 1934 in
human rights and women’s rights, they talk about the importance of grassroots education,
advocating for new legislation to protect human rights, and electing representatives who will Dublin. She attended University College Dublin and Kings
advance human rights. But they too often stop there and do not take the next step to Inn. In 1957, she became a member of the Irish Bar, where
acknowledge the critical role of the courts and the work that you do every day as judges. she built a substantial practice. It was generally believed that
Courts not only enforce and uphold constitutions, laws, and international agreements, but she could have been nominated to the Supreme Court had
they also daily affect all aspects of the lives of the most vulnerable people at all levels of she so wished.
society, particularly the lives and rights of women and children. Truly the work that each of
Justice Carroll was President of the International Association of
you do is important in ways you may not know or consider.
Women Judges from 2000 to 2002. She and the Irish Associa-
tion of Women Judges hosted the Association’s 6th Biennial
The IAWJ moved this year, not only programmatically, but twice physically. In April we
Conference in Dublin.
moved from our offices of the last four years to temporary quarters where we were still the
recipients of space through the generosity of the law firm of DLA Piper LLC. In August we To honor Justice Mella Carroll, the IAWJ has started the Mella
departed from those offices with great thanks to DLA Piper - and moved to new space that we Carroll Memorial Fund. With a generous initial contribution of
are renting from Georgetown University Law Center (GULC), based in Washington, DC, $1,000 by an anonymous donor, the Fund will be used to help
and one of the premier laws schools in the United States. With leadership from Professor finance the attendance of women judges from developing coun-
Vicki Jackson of the IAWJ Board of Managerial Trustees and discussions with the Dean of tries to the IAWJ’s international conferences.
GULC, we believe that there is great synergy for the IAWJ for collaboration with the Law
School. In the short time since our move to the campus, we have been pleased to welcome To contribute to this fund, please contact the IAWJ at
IAWJ members, Baroness Brenda Hale (UK), Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg (USA), former office@iawj.org.
Justice Claire L’Heureux Dubé (Canada), and Justice Carmen Argibay (Argentina) to joint
programs with the Law School. We look forward to future possibilities in this collaboration.
Our staff has worked hard on many proposals to expand IAWJ programming to respond to A Dollar a Day for IAWJ
the work and requests of our members. It takes considerable time and expertise to write
The IAWJ would like to thank all of those who have contrib-
proposals, develop budgets, and nurture relationships to seek funds to make IAWJ programs
uted to the “A Dollar a Day for IAWJ” fundraising cam-
possible. Our experience, expertise, and reputation for strong and creative programming
paign. The support of our members and friends has al-
continue to grow. You can be proud of the collegiality and strength of our small but talented
ways been important in continuing our mission to advance
staff, including our interns.
equality for all people.
We are excited about the plans and venue for our upcoming 9th Biennial International
This year, the Canadian Chapter of the IAWJ’s board voted
Conference in Panama next March! We hope that each of you plans to join your colleagues
to distribute a fundraising letter along with its newsletter and
in this warm and lovely setting. IAWJ’s biennial meetings are highlights for many of our
to highlight the “A Dollar a Day for IAWJ” campaign. This
members; the networking as well as the substantive discussions energize us in our work in
initiative has brought a number of contributions to the IAWJ.
the months between our meetings. We look forward to seeing you there!
Other national associations are encouraged to contact IAWJ
With best wishes from all at the IAWJ,
headquarters to find out more about how they can do the
same.
8
Focus on IAWJ’s Boards: Gender Equality
Board of Managerial Trustees Law in Norway
by: Hon. Mary-Ann Hedlund
Since being established in 2002, the IAWJ’s Board of Managerial Trustees (BMT) has been a Since 1978 Norway has had an Act relating to Gender
critical component of the overall work of the IAWJ. The BMT reports to the International Board of Equality. Through the years, some amendments have
Directors and is composed of no more than 21 individuals who have two major responsibilities: been made, including adjustments to the development
oversight of the ongoing management of the IAWJ and resource development to support the work of the relevant European Union law. The overall aim
and programs of the IAWJ. Responsibilities include overseeing and advising the executive director has been to improve the protection against gender
and staff; working with the executive director to develop the annual budget, approve investments, discrimination. Two bodies have had a special
and exercise other fiduciary responsibilities; recommending policies to the Board of Directors; and responsibility for the enforcement of the Act: The
assisting in implementing the goals and objectives of the IAWJ’s International Board of Directors. Gender Equality Ombud and the Gender Equality
Additionally, BMT members collaborate with the executive director on resource development and Tribunal.
when appropriate for the board member, fundraising for the IAWJ. The BMT meets 6-8 times a year
in Washington, DC. Members are expected to be available for meetings either in person or by phone In 2005/2006 new amendments to the Gender
and for consultation, to contribute financially to the IAWJ annually, and to contribute their personal and Equality Act and new anti-discrimination legislation
professional expertise in non-profit, non-government organizations to help advance the work of the were introduced: the Act on Prohibition of
IAWJ. The IAWJ seeks a diverse group of individuals with a variety of expertise and experience in Discrimination on the basis of ethnicity, national origin,
non-profit management who are committed to the mission of the IAWJ. Some members of the BMT are ancestry, skin color, language, religion or belief (the
not judges, as judges may be prohibited from exercising certain responsibilities, including raising Discrimination Act) and anti-discrimination regulations
funds. in the Labor Environment Act. In addition new
enforcement bodies were established: the Equality
Members of the BMT devote considerable time, expertise, and their own personal contributions and Anti-Discrimination Ombud and the Equality and
because they believe in the work of the IAWJ. Two new members members joined the board in 2006- Anti-Discrimination Tribunal.
2007.
With this latest legislation The UN Convention on the
Rona (Ronnie) F. Feit is a graduate of Bryn Mawr College magna cum laude and of Columbia Law Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against
School. She is a long time feminist activist, present and past board member and founder of many Women (CEDAW) was incorporated in the Gender
women-serving NGOs including the National Congress of Neighborhood Women, the Center Against Equality Act and has the same status as other national
Domestic Violence (NY), the National Women’s Political Caucus and the Association for Enterprise law. In addition the Gender Equality legislation was
Opportunity. She is a former Deputy Assistant to the President for Public Liaison on the Carter White amended to be adjusted to recent development in the
House staff and holder of various appointed posts at the US Small Business Administration where she European Union law. The main rule is that both
started and headed the Office of Women’s Business Ownership. She is a former Senior Fellow at the direct and indirect differential treatment of men and
Corporation for Enterprise Development (CFED), a DC-based think tank. A member of the DC Bar women is forbidden, but in certain cases indirect
and formerly of the NY Bar, she was a corporate law associate at Hughes, Hubbard & Reed in differential treatment can be permitted. In addition the
Manhattan before moving to DC and joining the federal government. Since her government service, law establishes that it is not permitted to use reprisals
she has been variously a consultant, speaker, researcher and writer on women’s issues, grassroots against any person who has submitted a complaint
women in community development, women in business, and on foundation and government programs regarding a breach of provisions of the Gender
to advance women economically here and abroad. She is divorced and the mother of two married Equality Act. It is also forbidden to give instructions
sons and grandmother of four grandsons. regarding acts that are in contravention of the
provisions of the Act. According to the law, gender-
Judith W. Gilmore was Director of the Office of Private and Voluntary Cooperation at the U.S. based harassment and sexual harassment is not
Agency for International Development (USAID) from April 2000 until March 2006, when she retired permitted and is to be considered as differential
from USAID. Previous positions included: deputy director of USAID’s Office of Regional Sustainable treatment in contravention with the general clause.
Development, Bureau for Latin America and the Caribbean (1997-2000), director of the Office of East The law has further details with definitions and
Asia Affairs (1994–1997); deputy director of the Office of Sahel and West Africa Affairs (1991–1994); regulations about burden of proof and liability for
deputy director for the Office of Technical Resources, Bureau for Africa (1990–1991); and regional damages.
division chief for Latin America and then Africa in the Office of Food for Peace (1987–1990). Prior to
joining USAID, she worked at Oxfam-America, the International Labor Organization (ILO), and the The International Convention on the Elimination of All
Organization of American States (OAS). A graduate of Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Forms of Racial Discrimination has been incorporated
Studies, Ms. Gilmore also earned certificates in French and Spanish translation from Georgetown in the Anti-Discrimination Act and has the same status
University’s Institute of Language and Linguistics. She received her BA in French literature from as the Women’s Convention.
Wellesley College.
For those who are interested, more information, also
To see the biographies of the other members of the Board, please visit the IAWJ’s website, www.iawj.org. in English, can found on the internet: www.ldo.no,
www.diskrimineringsnemnda.no,
www.gender.no. 9
Information & Details about IAWJ’s 9th Biennial Conference
Registration Fees their itineraries by email to the Committee’s Hospitality Group
Early bird (before 1/1/08) After 1 January 2008 bienalpanama@organojudicial.gob.pa if they would like to be met.
IAWJ Members US$500, €352 US$550, €388
Transportation
Accompanying persons US$150, €106 US$200, €141
COPA Airlines is the official airline of the conference and is offering 20% off on
Please note all conference delegates must be members of IAWJ all flights for conference attendants. To make use of the discount, attendees
before their conference registration will be processed. must refer to the conference at the time of airline ticket reservation or present
a copy of the picture on the IAWJ’s conference page. For COPA sales offices,
IAWJ Membership Dues
please visit their website www.copaair.com.
All registrants must be current members of the IAWJ. If registrants are
members of a national association, we suggest that the association pay its Accommodation Options
dues by February 1, 2008. Otherwise, association members must pay the Block bookings have been made for delegates to the IAWJ Conference at
individual member fee for 2008 (US$25, €18) to be eligible to attend the special conference rates. Delegates should book directly with the
conference. individual hotels. When booking please provide a credit card guarantee.
Cancellation Policy For any changes to bookings contact the hotel directly. The conference rates
All cancellations must be submitted in writing. A full refund, less a processing below are listed per night.
fee of US$115, €83 will be available if the IAWJ is notified before 1 January InterContinental Miramar Hotel Designated Headquarters Hotel
2008. After this date no refund will be available. Accommodation: Cancellation Miramar Plaza, Avenida Balboa
of accommodation must be made with the individual hotels. Ciudad de Panamá, Panamá
Tel (507) 206-8888; Fax (507) 223-4891
Silent Auction
www.miramarpanama.com
Delegates are invited to contribute items that may be of interest and are
King Deluxe Rooms Single US$150; Club InterContinental US$180;
characteristic of their country of origin. Please indicate on the registration
Suite US$320
form if you will be contributing to this event. Items being contributed by
Located by the water, the InterContinental Miramar Hotel offers
delegates to the silent auction should be delivered to the Silent Auction Room
stunning views of the Pacific Ocean. The rates include breakfast
on the afternoon of Tuesday 25th March. Unfortunately, we are unable to
each day. The Suites and Club InterContinental rooms also offer
accept items for storage before the commencement of the conference.
access to the Executive Lounge located on the 21st floor. Guests
Simultaneous Translation must guarantee a room with a valid credit card. Guests must notify
English is the official language of IAWJ. Interpretation services will be provided the hotel of changes and/or cancellations 4 days prior to their
in Spanish and French. Please indicate on the registration form if you will arrival date to avoid a surcharge equal to one night’s
require this service. accommodation plus tax.
Immigration Crowne Plaza Panama
The Ministry of International Affairs will provide visas at Tocumen Airport to Av. Manuel Espinosa Batista
all attendants who do not have a Panamanian Consulate in theirs countries. Panama City, Panama
Registrants must send an e-mail to m.arosemena@organojudicial.gob.pa Tel (507) 206-5555; Fax (507) 206-5557
if they need this service with their complete name, nationality, date of birth, www.cppanama.com
and passport number. The visa will be available at the Tocumen Airport the King Deluxe Rooms Single US$105; Club InterContinental US$125:
day of arrival. Suite US$150
A US$20 cash only exit fee is charged at the airport before visitors The Crowne Plaza Hotel is a full-service business hotel in financial
depart the country. and banking area - 2 miles from Panama City and approximately 4
miles to Panama Canal. The hotel offers many amenities among
For more information on visa requirements to travel to Panama in English, them: Rooms have double-paned windows, ergonomic beds with
please visit this page www.stri.org/english/research/applications/ high-thread-count linens, and a basket of goodies such as eye
coming_to_panama/about_visas.php. masks and relaxation CDs.
Tocumen Airport For those who are looking for alternative hotel options, please look on the
The Conference Organizing Committee in Panama will meet registrants at IAWJ’s website, www.iawj.org.
the airport, if their services are requested. Registrants are asked to send
10
IX CONFERENCE OFTHE INTERNATIONALASSOCIATION OFWOMEN JUDGES
Panama City, Panama March 25-28, 2008
Upcoming REGISTRATION FORM
Only one delegate per form, please. Registration is also available at the IAWJ website, www.iawj.org.
Events DELEGATE INFORMATION:
Family Name: First Name: Title:
2007
Organization/Affiliation:
November 11-13
Hon. Pi-Hu Hsu, a Address 1:
member of the Judicial Address 2:
Yuan, the highest court
in Taiwan and one of City: State: Postal Code: Country:
only seven women to sit Telephone: Fax:
on that court, will be vis-
iting Washington, DC. Email:
Area of Legal Specialization:
November 28 - 30
The National Judicial In- I will be accompanied by: 1) 2)
stitute, working in part- Name for Badge:
nership with the Cana-
SIMULTANEOUS INTERPRETATION: SILENTAUCTION: I will be bring an
dian Chapter of the
I will need interpretation services in item for the silent auction.
IAWJ (CCIAWJ), will
French Spanish
be hosting a conference
titled "Why Gender DELEGATE LIST: The IAWJ customarily compiles a delegate list for inclusion in the conference
Equality Still Matters: As- materials. Please indicate if you do NOT want your name included.
sisting the Working ACCOMMODATION:
Judge". The program Hotel accommodations are handled separately between the conference attendee and the local hotel. The
will focus on the continu- IAWJ currently has special rates with the following hotels:
ing relevance of gender InterContinental Miramar Hotel (conference headquarters) Crowne Plaza Panama
to the work judges do Miramar Plaza, Avenida Balboa Av. Manuel Espinosa Batista
through examining a Ciudad de Panamá, Panamá Panama City, Panama
number of topics which Tel (507) 206-8888; Fax (507) 223-4891 Tel (507) 206-5555; Fax (507) 206-5557
arise frequently in the www.miramarpanama.com www.cppanama.com
courtroom. The pro-
gram will focus on skills, PAYMENT METHOD (US Dollars only): I would like to pay for my registration by:
applications and practi- ____ Credit Card (The IAWJ office must impose a 3% administration charge on all Credit Card
cal solutions for the Payments.) ____ Visa ____ Mastercard
working judge. Please Card Number:
visit the Calendar sec-
Exp. Date: Security Code:
tion of the IAWJ’s
website for more infor- Name of Card Holder:
mation (www.iawj.org). Billing Address:
____ Cheque made payable to the IAWJ
2008
March 25 - 28 ____ Bank transfer. By arrangement. Please add an additional US$20.
The IAWJ 9th Bien-
nial Conference will be PAYMENT: Please note that we are unable to process any registration without the necessary registration fee.
held in Panama City, Early Bird Registration US$500, €352 per person US$
Panama. The theme of Late Registration US$550, €388 (after 1/1/08) US$
the Conference will be IAWJ membership dues $25 (must be paid current year member to register) US$
Equal Justice for All: Ac- Early Accompanying Person(s) Fee US$150, €106 x ___ of people US$
cess, Discrimination, Late Accompanying Person(s) Fee US$200, €141 x ___ of people (after 1/1/08) US$
Violence, Corruption. Sub-total: US$
For more information, 3% for credit card payments or US$20, €14 for bank transfer US$
please see the IAWJ Total Enclosed: US$
website’s Conference Signed: Dated:
page (www.iawj.org). You will receive a confirmation receipt within 14 days. Please return completed form with necessary payment to:
International Association of Women Judges
600 New Jersey Ave., NW, Gewirz Building, Room 110 11
Washington, DC 20001
Tel: 202-661-6501; Fax: 202-661-6511; Email: events@iawj.org
CounterBalance International Goes Electronic IAWJ Off icers and Board Members
IAWJ Off icers Board Members
The IAWJ’s newsletter, CounterBalance International, has been Executive Council Board of Directors
available online in full color for several years. Now the IAWJ President Hon. Fernanda Cervetti, Italy
would like to offer its members the option to receive the newslet- Hon. Graciela Dixon Hon. Germana de Oliveria Moraes, Brazil
ter by email. Members will not have to wait for printed copies to Panama Hon. Susan Glazebrook, New Zealand
arrive by regular mail and will be able to enjoy the photos in full Hon. Constance Hunt, Canada
color. President-Elect Hon. Young-Hye Kim, South Korea
Currently, two Associations, the UKAWJ and the Canadian Chap- Hon. Leslie Alden Hon. Monica Leeuw, South Africa
ter of the IAWJ have opted to receive electronic newsletters. United States Hon. Susanna Medina de Rizzo,
Argentina
If you are interested in receiving your newsletter by email, Vice-President of Programs Hon. Ayotunde Phillips, Nigeria
please notify the IAWJ headquarters at office@iawj.org. Hon. Mary-Ann Hedlund Hon. Bea Ann Smith, United States
Norway Hon. Jill Wainwright, United Kingdom
Vice-President of Publica- Board of Managerial Trustees
tions
Hon. M. Lucy Mailula Hon. Leslie Alden
South Africa Hon. Rosemarie Annunziata
Hon. Anna Blackburne-Rigsby
Secretary/Treasurer Hon. Mary McGowan Davis
Hon. Nazmun Ara Sultana Ambassador Susan G. Esserman
Bangladesh Rona Feit
Judith W. Gilmore
Past President Cynthia Graae
Hon. Jane Mathews Donald H. Green
Australia Vicki Jackson
Susan M. Liss
Executive Director Hon. Arline Pacht
Joan D. Winship Judith Resnik
United States Hon. Vanessa Ruiz
Robert Wald
Mildred Kiefer Wurf
International Association of Women Judges
600 New Jersey Ave., NW NONPROFIT ORG
US POSTAGE PAID
Gewirz Building, Room 110 WASHINGTON, DC
Washington, DC 20001 PERMIT NO. 306
tel: 1-202-661-6501
fax: 1-202-661-6511
email: office@iawj.org
www.iawj.org
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