LocationsWomen Judges in Asia: Progress Made, Gaps that Remain
February 24, 2026
More women on the bench strengthens justice systems and delivers better outcomes for everyone, not just for women. Gender equality in the judiciary is not only about representation; it is about improving the quality, integrity, and legitimacy of justice systems. A judiciary that reflects the diversity of society is better equipped to uphold the rule of law, protect fundamental rights, and strengthen public confidence in fair and impartial decision-making.
Across the region, women remain underrepresented in many judicial institutions, particularly at senior levels. While progress is visible, barriers persist. Women judges continue to navigate structural bias, limited institutional support, and the pressures of balancing professional and personal responsibilities. These constraints affect advancement to leadership roles and, in some cases, contribute to early exit from judicial pathways.
Yet the conversation is no longer only about numbers. It is about how gender equality strengthens the integrity, quality, and legitimacy of justice systems. Research on gender and judicial excellence shows that gender bias can arise at any stage of a judge’s career and at any level of court. Such bias does not affect only women; it can shape outcomes for anyone who appears before the courts. Stereotypes and discriminatory assumptions may influence decision-making processes across the justice chain, from judges and lawyers to police officers and court personnel. Addressing these dynamics is essential to safeguarding impartiality and public trust.
Within this context, UNDP and its partners have positioned women’s judicial leadership as a strategic entry point for building more people-centred justice systems. Through regional and national judicial leadership dialogues in countries including Thailand, Indonesia, Lao PDR, and Bangladesh, women judges have strengthened leadership skills, strategic communication, and institutional navigation capacities. Beyond individual development, these forums have fostered peer solidarity and collective agency, shifting the narrative from representation alone to substantive influence in judicial governance. The regional initiative Shift Underway: Women in Justice is supported by the Kingdom of the Netherlands and Germany’s Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), through UNDP and UN Women’s Global Gender Justice Platform.
Bangladesh: A New Chapter for Women’s Leadership in the Judiciary
In 2024, five women were appointed to the High Court Division, marking the highest number in the court’s history. Justice Mubina Asaf reflects on this milestone as a strong step toward more gender balanced justice and greater women’s leadership in shaping the future of the judiciary in Bangladesh.
While women in the legal profession continue to face systemic, cultural and structural barriers, their voices and networks are growing stronger. The appointments signal a clear institutional commitment to greater gender diversity in the higher judiciary and reinforce the message that excellence in justice knows no gender.
Maldives: Gender Justice at the Heart of Judicial Reform
Justice Shujune Aisha Muhammad shares her inspiring journey from working at the Ministry of Gender to serving on the Supreme Court of the Maldives, and what it means to serve as a woman in the judiciary. Initially aspiring to become a diplomat, she realized early in her career that meaningful change for women, children and vulnerable communities required engaging directly with the law, which led her to pursue a legal career.
In this interview, she reflects on the barriers women face in rising to senior judicial roles and the importance of stronger representation. She also highlights the power of women judges coming together through initiatives such as the Women Judges Conference, creating networks where women in law can share experiences, support one another and help build more inclusive judicial institutions.
Nepal: Advancing Gender-Responsive Justice
From Nepal, Justice Sapana Pradhan Malla shares her journey as a woman in the judiciary, explaining that justice becomes meaningful only when laws reflect women’s lived experiences. Trained initially as a corporate lawyer, she was drawn to legal reform after witnessing how discriminatory laws limited justice for women.
She speaks about the importance of reforming laws from women’s perspectives and overcoming social and institutional barriers to ensure fairness for all. Reflecting on progress and ongoing challenges, she emphasizes that women must be part of the justice system itself, because meaningful justice requires women not only in the courtroom but also shaping the laws and decisions that affect society.
Thailand: Merit-Based Progress in Judicial Leadership
In Thailand, women now make up 36% of judges, reflecting steady progress in advancing gender equality in the judiciary. Since 2020, four women have served as President of the Supreme Court, highlighting how merit based advancement has enabled more women to reach the highest levels of judicial leadership.
As highlighted by former Chief Justice Chanakarn Theeravechpolkul, this progress reflects a broader shift in attitudes and opportunities within the justice system. While women in the past faced many barriers in entering and advancing within the judiciary, expanding opportunities and recognition of merit have helped strengthen women’s roles and leadership in Thailand’s judicial institutions.
Philippines: Elevating Gender Equality Through Judicial Leadership
In the Philippines, Justice Amy C. Lazaro Javier highlights efforts to strengthen gender equality in the judiciary through practical reforms and institutional leadership. As Chair of the Committee on Gender Responsiveness in the Judiciary, she helped advance key initiatives, including the Supreme Court’s first guidelines on the use of gender fair language and gender fair courtroom etiquette.
She reflects on the importance of leadership, collaboration and mentorship in promoting a more inclusive justice system. Through initiatives such as gender sensitivity workshops and recognition programmes for women judges, these efforts aim to create a judiciary where women’s voices are heard, respected and able to shape the future of law.
Netherlands: Supporting Multilateral Cooperation for Justice
Remco van Wijngaarden, Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to Thailand, Cambodia and Laos, reaffirmed his country’s commitment to equality and inclusion, noting: “In the Netherlands, we strongly believe in equality, inclusion, and fairness. These values are enshrined in our constitution. It's a very strong feeling in our society that inclusiveness and fairness is part of who we are in the Netherlands.”
Similarly, Miriam Otto, The Deputy Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to Thailand, Cambodia, and Laos emphasized the importance of multilateral cooperation in upholding justice, stating: “Justice doesn’t stop at the borders. We all work together in a multilateral system, where it's important that we all stick to the same rules if we want to prevent conflict.”
Germany: Breaking Stereotypes to Championing Role Models
Ms. Likki-Lee Pitzen from the German Embassy in Thailand reflects on why promoting women’s leadership in the judiciary matters for everyone. From breaking stereotypes to championing role models, Germany’s partnership through the Shift Underway initiative reaffirms that achieving gender equality in justice is not about borders, it’s about advancing universal values of fairness, legitimacy, and inclusion.
Regional collaboration has also been key. Platforms such as the Judicial Integrity Network in ASEAN create space for courts and judges to exchange experience, strengthen ethical standards, integrate gender considerations into judicial training and codes of conduct, and reinforce institutional accountability.
Evidence from country-level engagement underscores why reform must go beyond policy commitments. A gender audit of courts in Lao PDR, for example, revealed gaps between formal equality provisions and daily practice, including limited reporting mechanisms and insufficient institutional safeguards. These findings point to the need for practical reforms to ensure court systems are inclusive not only in principle, but in operation.
At its core, advancing women’s leadership in the judiciary is about strengthening justice for all. When women judges are supported to lead, courts become more reflective of the societies they serve, and public confidence in fairness and the rule of law is reinforced.
On the International Day of Women Judges, these voices from across Asia and the Pacific reaffirm that advancing women’s leadership in the judiciary is fundamental to strengthening the rule of law. Representation strengthens justice systems, reinforces public confidence, and helps ensure equal protection under the law. As countries continue to reform institutions, expand opportunities and invest in women’s leadership, the shift underway reflects a shared commitment to justice systems that are independent, impartial, and truly inclusive for all.
