Doha, September 21 (QNA) - The 75th session of the UN General Assembly's adoption of an International Day of Women Judges on March 10 after an initiative by the State of Qatar, crowned the country's efforts in enhancing women's role in all fields, particularly in the judiciary. It also reflects the State of Qatar's recognition of the importance of women's role in all fields.

Qatar proposed having an international day for women judges in February 2020, during a meeting of UNDOC's Global Judicial Integrity Network. Following strong efforts by Qatari diplomacy represented in the Permanent Representative of the State of Qatar to the United Nations in New York, and thanks to support from 70 countries around the world, the 75th UN General Assembly adopted March 10 as the International Day of Women Judges.

The General Assembly resolution referred to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, highlighting that gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls will make a vital contribution to progress in achieving all sustainable development goals and targets, including gender equality.

The decision emphasized the active participation of women on an equal footing with men in decision-making at all levels as a fundamental matter for achieving equality, sustainable development, peace and democracy, and affirmed the commitment to formulating and implementing appropriate and effective national strategies and plans to advance the position of women in judicial justice systems and institutions at the leadership, administrative and other levels.

The resolution called on all Member States, entities of the UN system, other international and regional organizations, civil society, and other relevant stakeholders to celebrate the International Day of Women Judges every year in the most appropriate manner, including through educational and public awareness activities, to promote the full participation of women on an equal basis with men in all levels of the judiciary system.

This initiative is considered an annual occasion to reaffirm the importance of women's participation in public service, including the judiciary, and the commitment of the international community to gender equality. 

The permanent constitution of the State of Qatar affirms the active role of women and enhances their rights, highlighting the importance of gender equality and equal opportunity. 
Qatar National Vision 2030 reflected those constitutional principles and legal legislation, emphasizing support for the role of women in society, strengthening their capabilities and enabling them to participate in various fields, including economic and political fields related to decision-making. Qatar National Vision 2030 also stressed that the desired social development means providing equal opportunity in terms of educational and work for all citizens, regardless of their background or gender.

The State of Qatar has worked to enhance the role of women in the judiciary, as the percentage of Qatari women in the judiciary reached 13 percent of all Qatari judges. The administrative cadre for middle and senior management was also close to 30 percent, while the percentage of women occupying positions in the administrative positions in the judiciary was closer to 42 percent, which is a tangible reflection of the role of Qatari women in the judiciary.

    In a statement made by HE the Permanent Representative of the State of Qatar to the United Nations Ambassador Sheikha Alya bint Ahmed bin Saif Al-Thani confirmed, before the draft resolution was adopted, that the International Day of Women Judges is an annual occasion to reaffirm the importance of women's participation in public institutions, including the judiciary, and the commitment of the international community that participatory and representative decision-making at all levels requires a balance between the genders.
    For his part, HE President of the Supreme Judiciary Council and President of the Court of Cassation, Dr. Hassan bin Lahdan Al Hassan Al Mohannadi, explained that the aim of launching this initiative is to enhance the presence of women in the judiciary.

  His Excellency touched on the efforts to enhance the presence of women in the judiciary, including the existence of a plan for the Supreme Judiciary to attract law school students to the judicial sector in the council.

    He reiterated the firm commitment of the State of Qatar and its judiciary to enhance and support the role played by women at the professional level and to enhance their roles in the judiciary, given the pivotal role women will play in achieving the sustainable development goals. 

For her part, Dr. Mona Al Marzouqi, a judge at the Qatar International Court, stressed that the work of women in the judiciary is a realistic translation of Qatar's commitment to supporting women in one of the most critical professions globally. She added that this reinforces Qatar's commitment to implement its international obligations and respect international treaties.

Al Marzouqi stressed, in exclusive remarks made to Qatar News Agency (QNA), that the State of Qatar's interest in appointing women to judicial positions is consistent with achieving the country's development plans considering the sustainable development goals related to achieving justice and respect for the rule of law set by the United Nations for member states.

  She said that the empowerment of women and their access to equal opportunities at work is one of the State of Qatar’s biggest commitment to advancing the role of women in society, especially in the judiciary, reinforcing the decades-old approach of the State of Qatar in granting women leadership positions locally and internationally. She added that the State of Qatar is aware of the presence of women in the judiciary enhances the judicial system’s integrity.

She explained that the United Nations General Assembly approved unanimously in April 2021 a decision to mark March 10 as the International Day for the Celebration of Women Judges, following an initiative by the State of Qatar that was welcomed by Arab and international countries, which confirms the status of the State of Qatar and its constructive initiatives that contribute to achieving sustainable development. She stressed that embodying the Qatari initiative on the ground means emphasizing the commitment of the State of Qatar to give women the opportunity to participate in all state facilities of all kinds, appreciating women's efforts and celebrating what they have accomplished in the judiciary, inspiring and encouraging the younger generation to embrace that duty.

At the conclusion of her remarks to QNA, Dr. Mona Al Marzouqi praised the efforts of the State of Qatar in encouraging women to work in the judiciary, by encouraging law students and graduates to join the judiciary, in addition to undertaking an initiative to adopt an international day to celebrate women judges that serves as a positive influence for women judges to continue their efforts in this field despite its challenges, and to develop strategic plans to advance the role of women in the judiciary and expand their participation in it. (QNA)