President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has challenged women judges to leverage their legal acumen to dismantle barriers to justice.
The President said as judges and upholders of the law, they had the power to redefine norms and set precedents that protected the vulnerable and marginalised through their judgements.
Consequently, he said, their judgments must echo the principles of fairness, equality and justice.
“Let them (judgements) be a beacon for those in the shadows of fear and oppression. Remember, each decision you make not only affects individuals in your courtrooms, but also sets the tone for what we as a society deem acceptable.“And as we walk towards the future, let us envision a continent where the law does not only punish, but also educates and reforms. A future where our daughters will be judged not by their compliance to outmoded customs, but by their potential to lead and innovate,” he added.
Conference
The President was speaking at the opening of the 18th Africa Regional Conference of the International Association of Women Judges (IAWJ) in Accra yesterday.
The five-day conference, which is being attended by women judges from Nigeria, Tanzania, South Africa, Cote d’Ivoire, Uganda, Togo, Kenya and Ghana, among others, is on the theme: "Combating negative cultural practices in contemporary times: The role of women judges".
The core mandate of the association is to, among others, promote and empower women judges to help uproot gender bias, end discriminatory laws, advance gender-responsive courts, and promote human rights for all.
They would also share experiences, knowledge and 'law-based' approaches to dealing with challenges such as cyber bullying of children, cultural beliefs and fighting sexual offences, poverty and access to justice, among other challenges.
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