Women judges hold the line against gender justice gap

Women judges around the world are holding the line when it comes to addressing the gender justice gap, despite stark disparities in female representation in the courts.

Women are significantly under-represented in international courts, tribunals and other decision-making bodies that shape international law, human rights and accountability.

Yet a UN Women report published on Thursday highlighted that when women shape international justice, institutions become more legitimate, credible and responsive to society.

In the small Pacific nation Kiribati, female representation in the justice system has been made a priority.

Women account for 38 per cent of magistrates and 29 per cent of legislators.

Although the land area is small, the 33 islands that make up Kiribati, 21 of which are inhabited, are scattered widely.

This means that for many Pacific women, the distance from justice is not measured in percentage points but also in ocean crossings, Kiribati Women's Minister Ruth Cross Kwansing explains.

At an event held on the sidelines of the United Nations' 70th session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW), Ms Cross Kwansing said countries could not build just societies with justice systems that only included half the population.

"The depth of women's leadership across our legal institutions ... didn't happen by accident, it happened because women in Kiribati refused to accept that justice was not their domain," she said on Thursday local time.

"It happened because they understood something fundamental: that when women hold the gavel, the law begins to see women too."

Kiribati faces ongoing challenges of rising seas, water scarcity and ecosystem loss caused by climate change that often impact women more due to social and economic inequalities.

Empowering women to help drive resilient and fair inclusive solutions in their judiciary roles was vital to addressing these inequalities, Ms Cross Kwansing said.

"Small island states are often invisible in global justice," she said.

"We call on partners, governments and multilateral institutions to step up co-operation through mechanisms like the gender justice platform and global networks like the International Association of Women Judges ... to move from individual wins to systemic change."

More than 3000 delegates representing governments, charities, non-government organisations and advocacy groups have been granted accreditation to attend this year's CSW conference.

This year's major theme is ensuring and strengthening access to justice for all women and girls.