It is time to redesign a system that has failed women and was deliberately established to flourish in fear and inequality, and instead re-imagine a calm, safe and secure future for women and girls.
This was highlighted by University of Fiji Vice-Chancellor Professor Shaista Shameem while marking the International Day of Women Judges.
She says the day was established by the United Nations General Assembly in 2022 to highlight the important role women play in judicial systems around the world and to encourage greater representation of women in courts and legal institutions.
Professor Shameem says the University of Fiji recognises the growing role of women within the judiciary and the importance of strengthening gender equality within legal systems globally.
She says the observance of the day also recognises the contributions of women in the administration of justice and reinforces the need to strengthen gender equality within judicial institutions.
Professor Shameem says recognising the achievements and leadership of women judges also encourages young women studying law to pursue careers within the judiciary and the broader legal profession.
She says the theme for International Women’s Day 2026 – “Rights, Justice and Action for All Women and Girls” reflects the need for a renaissance rather than merely adapting to systems marked by structural inequality, violence and conflict.
Professor Shameem says there is also a responsibility for men to share responsibilities with women in advancing gender equality.
She says the world is ready for a Women’s Renaissance in law, the arts, culture, attitudes and education, with women placed at the centre rather than the periphery of society.
She says the day is celebrated globally to honour women serving in judicial systems and to promote gender equality within courts and legal institutions, while women in Fiji continue to play an increasingly important role in the judiciary with four female members currently serving on the bench.
Professor Shameem says the University of Fiji also honoured the legacy of Ruth Bader Ginsburg, who served on the United States Supreme Court from 1993 to 2020 and was widely known for championing women’s rights and gender equality.
She says the university is encouraging girls and women who graduated from the JDP School of Law at the University of Fiji to mark the day and reflect on the importance of women’s leadership and participation in the judiciary.
Professor Shameem says as part of the commemoration the university shares a message from Fiji’s first female High Court judge, Justice Nazhat Shameem, who now serves as Deputy Prosecutor at the International Criminal Court in The Hague.
Justice Shameem says when she was appointed to the High Court Bench she was deeply conscious of the honour of becoming the first woman to hold the position in Fiji.
She says the journey was not without challenges, particularly for women working in traditionally male-dominated legal institutions.
Justice Shameem says young women in the legal profession often face multiple challenges while balancing professional responsibilities with family and cultural expectations.
She says her ten years on the High Court Bench provided valuable lessons, noting that every hearing offered an opportunity to understand the uniqueness of human lives and the immense responsibility that comes with judicial appointments.
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