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History
The seeds of the International Association of Women Judges (IAWJ) were planted in 1989 when 50 eminent women judges from nations on every continent were invited to participate in the tenth anniversary celebration of the U.S. National Association of Women Judges. At that meeting, U.S. women judges and their colleagues from abroad recognized that they shared many of the same problems; that to greater or lesser degrees, they, and the women who appeared before them, had to contend with gender discrimination - sometimes blatant, often subtle -- as the result of ingrained patriarchal attitudes and practices. They also realized that as women judges they were uniquely positioned to combat deep-rooted discrimination, but could do little individually or in isolation. Therefore, they resolved to establish an alliance so that together they could more effectively overcome the obstacles in their legal-judicial systems that deny women equal rights and, in this way, improve the quality of justice and the rule of law.
Pursuant to that resolution, a committee was formed and authorized to create a new organization that would unify and empower women judges worldwide who, collectively, would promote reforms that would make the courts and the law responsive not only to women on the bench, but in the whole of society. By October 1991, women judges in 15 nations had approved a constitution creating the International Association of Women Judges (IAWJ) that was committed to the premise that through the exercise of informed and united leadership, women judges could be a catalyst for social change. In 1993, a sister organization, the International Women Judges Foundation (IWJF), was incorporated as a tax exempt entity that would provide the IAWJ with the resources, information and skills members needed to exercise that leadership. Together, the IAWJ and IWJF became the vehicles through which women judges could pool their considerable skills, talents and experience and harness their collective potential for the advancement of women and the benefit of their communities.
Throughout the first decade of their existence, the IAWJ and IWJF engaged in activities on an international, regional and national scale that met the members' early commitment. In 2000, having determined that the mission of the Association would be served best by merging the IAWJ and IWJF, the membership approved a plan to consolidate the two organizations. Accordingly, a year later, after attaining non-profit status, the newly-incorporated IAWJ absorbed the functions of the IWJF, which then was dissolved. Today, the International Association of Women Judges continues to flourish as a global alliance of women judges who are dedicated to serving the public good by improving the status of women and children worldwide.
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