On 10 March 2025, to mark the International Day of Women Judges, the International Commission of Jurists (ICJ) – in partnership with the Judges’ Society of Nepal, UNDP and the Royal Norwegian Embassy – hosted the 2nd Women Judges’ Conference in Kathmandu, Nepal.
The event gathered 145 participants, including a former Chief Justice; women judges currently serving in the Supreme Court, High Courts, and District Courts; and senior attorneys. Around 60 of the participants were women. The conference aimed to celebrate the growing number of women in the judiciary and to advocate for a further increase of female judges.
The event featured two sessions: one on the ICJ-led 8 March Principles and Access to Justice, and another on Inclusiveness and Representation of Women Judges in the Judiciary: Opportunities and Challenges.
As the Chief Guest of the opening session, Chief Justice of Nepal, Prakashman Singh Raut, praised the role of women in the judiciary, stating, “Women judges are the pride of Nepal’s judiciary, embodying the strength, integrity, and unwavering commitment that form the foundation of justice”.
ICJ Commissioner and former Chief Justice of Nepal, Justice Kalyan Shrestha, delivered the keynote address, emphasizing the value of the ICJ-led 8 March Principles and their relevance for judges in applying a human rights-based approach when enforcing criminal law. Shrestha highlighted,
“Over-criminalization has a profound impact, particularly on the poor and marginalized. The 8 March Principles offer a pathway to exploring alternative forms of punishment and reforming the criminal justice system.”
The conference concluded by revisiting the declaration from the first National Women Judges Conference and assessing the progress in implementing its calls. In addition, the judges made a 12-point pledge, committing to the formation of a national network of women judges. They also advocated for the implementation of an anti-sexual harassment policy and the enhancement of working conditions for women judges and court staff.
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