Jakarta, 12 August 2025  - The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Supreme Court of Indonesia, convened the Judicial Leadership Colloquium for Women Judges in Indonesia on 11-12 August 2025 in Jakarta. The two-day colloquium brought together 45 selected women judges from trial and high courts across Indonesia, including Chief Judges, Senior Judges, and members of the Supreme Court.

The Colloquium is part of a regional project “Shift Underway: Promoting Women’s Leadership in the Judiciary in Asia”, implemented in Indonesia, Thailand, Lao PDR, and Bangladesh under UNDP and UN Women’s Global Gender Justice Platform. Supported by the Kingdom of the Netherlands and Germany’s Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, this initiative aims to strengthen judicial systems by equipping women judges with stronger leadership skills through practical training, learning from real cases and proven approaches, and opportunities to connect with peers from other countries.

A Push for Gender Equality in the Courts

The Indonesia Colloquium was designed to provide a unique platform for participants to share personal experiences, discuss practical ways to overcome challenges faced by women in the judiciary, and work together on plans to promote gender equality in the justice system.

“This colloquium aims to transform institutions from within,” said Ms. Sujala Pant, Deputy Resident Representative of UNDP Indonesia. “Women’s leadership in the justice system is important in and of itself. Women’s active participation and leadership in the judiciary enables the system as a whole to be more representative, more inclusive of different needs and perspectives, and also more equitable.”  

In her keynote speech, Dr. Nani Indrawati, Justice of the Supreme Court of Indonesia and Chair of the Indonesian Women Judges Association (BPHPI), further emphasized the importance of the initiative, stating “The establishment of Indonesian Women Judges Association (BPHPI) in 2023 marked a historic milestone for our judiciary. It is not just an association; it is a platform of solidarity and empowerment. Through mentoring programs, ethical reflection, and policy dialogue, we are ensuring that women’s voices become an enduring part of the voice of justice in Indonesia. Partnership of BPHPI with UNDP and other partners is essential to building a judiciary system that is not only legally sound but also socially responsive and ethically strong.”

From Theory to Practice: Colloquium Highlights

On the first day of the Colloquium, facilitator Ms. Francesca Del Mese from the United Kingdom led participants through interactive training sessions on judicial leadership, personal leadership styles, ethical decision-making, and institutional integrity. Case studies and group discussions enabled participants to reflect on their leadership journeys and identify tools to overcome barriers and drive reform within their respective courts.

On the second day, through panel discussions and scenario-based workshops, participants explored the impact of media scrutiny, online harassment, and psychosocial stress on judicial independence. The programme also highlighted best practices from other jurisdictions, including a virtual exchange with Justice Aisha Shujune Muhammad from the Republic of Maldives, and supported participants in developing resilience and wellbeing strategies for sustained leadership.

The Colloquium concluded with each judge drafting a personal leadership plan and contributing to a collective roadmap to advance gender equality in their respective courts. These included actions such as launching local mentoring program, integrating gender perspectives into case reviews, and advocating for institutional reforms. The plans will serve as the foundation for a peer support network and ongoing collaboration to strengthen women’s leadership in the judiciary nationwide.

Looking Ahead

Mr. Simone Boneschi, Programme Specialist at UNDP's Bureau for Asia and the Pacific, shared that this initiative will create stronger networks of women judges who can learn from each other and work together on common challenges. “This initiative isn't just about what happens in Indonesia, it’s shaping justice across our region. Right now, women make up just 30% of Asia and Oceania’s judiciary, with far fewer at the top of the system. By connecting women judges from Indonesia with peers in neighbouring countries, UNDP is helping build a growing network of women leaders who can drive reform from the frontlines of their courts.” he said.

By advancing women’s leadership in the judiciary, this initiative contributes directly to Sustainable Development Goals 5 (Gender Equality) and 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions). It also reinforces the Supreme Court of Indonesia’s commitment to gender-responsive and ethical governance in the justice sector. As Indonesia moves toward its Golden Indonesia 2045 vision, cultivating inclusive, accountable institutions led by diverse voices will be essential to ensuring that justice serves all, and that no one is left behind.

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Media Contact:

Nabilla Rahmani, Head of Communications UNDP Indonesia

nabilla.rahmani@undp.org

About UNDP:

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