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Jurisprudence of Equality Program | Other Notable Programs | International Conferences
Jurisprudence of Equality Program
Background: Among its many strong programs, the IAWJ conducts judicial education programs for judges and magistrates. Introduced originally in five countries in Latin America and then in Africa, the IAWJ's flagship program, Jurisprudence of Equality Program (JEP), provides training for members of the judiciary, female and male, on the domestic application of international, regional and national law on issues dealing with discrimination and violence against women. JEP-trained jurists have established a track record of issuing judgments striking down discriminatory laws and practices, and they have expanded the rights of women on issues ranging from economic discrimination, property rights, custody, inheritance, sexual assault, and all forms of violence against women. More than 2,500 judges have taken part in JEP training in 21 countries. In 2003, 2006, and 2007, the IAWJ was honored at United Nations headquarters by the UN Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM) Trust Fund for the impact and success of the JEP program
Purpose: The Program's ultimate goal is to build a true "jurisprudence of equality" - one based on universal principles of human rights. JEP training workshops and seminars bring judges together to focus on the concrete meaning of abstract guarantees of equal protection and nondiscrimination. Through case studies, problem solving exercises and other adult learning techniques, judges have opportunities to share insights with colleagues and deepen their understanding of international law as applied to domestic contexts.
Impact:
- Created training teams of judges and magistrates prepared to lead human rights seminars for judicial officers.
- Conducted seminars for groups of 20 to 30 judges and allied professionals in 21 countries.
- Disseminated information about human rights decisions on the IAWJ's website and through the IAWJ's newsletter. The IAWJ posts case summaries of selected decisions by JEP participants on this website. Our Brazilian national chapter, Associacao Nacional de Magistradas, houses information about JEP decisions from that country at http://www.jep.org.br/
- Developed an international human rights judicial community. JEP trained jurists now form the nucleus of regional networks that can support one another and encourage their colleagues to follow suit.
- Changed points of view and practices. Many JEP-trained judges credit the program with alerting them to the nature and scope of domestic violence and gender discrimination; to hidden biases - their own and others' - and stereotypes that sustain these biases; and to more effective and sensitive ways to question witnesses.
- Adapted the JEP curriculum to non-judicial contexts. JEP participants have incorporated JEP materials in curricula they use for teaching students from middle school to university and law school levels, as well as for training programs for police, lawyers, social workers, physicians and other professionals.
- Garnered support from courts, government agencies and private organizations. Government agencies and the judiciary have demonstrated strong interest in and tangible support for the JEP. In Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania, the Chief Justices publicly announced support for the JEP and adopted the program as an official offering of their judicial training institutes. A governor in Panama sponsored JEP workshops for men and women judges throughout his state; and the Gender Directorate of the South African Ministry of Justice underwrote the costs of the Train-the-Trainers program for judge and magistrate trainers in participating Southern Africa countries. Through the initiative of the Tanzania Women Judges Association (TAWJA), JEP is now included in training of second year magistrate training prior to their graduation and first placement in the field.
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