The 18th Africa Women Judges Conference In Accra. This Is What You Missed

The International Association of Women Judges (IAWJ) held its 18th Africa Regional Conference in Accra, Ghana. During the event, Ghana’s Chief Justice Gertrude Sackey Torkornoo encouraged women Judges to make an unequivocal move against negative social practices.

She additionally beseeched the guests to underline the critical requirement for purposeful endeavors to address gender based violence and female genital mutilation.

“We must integrate legal principles with socio-cultural contexts to effectively combat these harmful practices”

The Chief Justice lauded Ghana’s efforts to address gender-based violence through specialized courts, such as the Child-Friendly Gender-Based Violence Courts, which prioritize the protection and well-being of child victims and witnesses.

She added that, the 2010 Demographic and Health Survey showed that 36.6% of women had experienced physical violence by the age of 15. About one in four women have suffered physical/and/or sexual violence by an intimate partner (UN Women, 2022).

Chief Justice Gertrude Sackey Torkornoo, who hosted the rest of the regional women Judges, highlighted the plight of women head porters (kayeyei) in Ghana and other negative cultural practices that affect women, including workplace exploitation, child marriage, domestic violence, forced migration, virginity testing, and female genital mutilation.

She quoted article 39 (2) on cultural objectives, which states that:

”The State shall ensure that appropriate customary and cultural values are adapted and developed as an integral part of the growing needs of the society as a whole; and in particular, that traditional practices which are injurious to the health and well-being of the person are abolished”.

She urged Judges to apply the law in a way that conveys a message of exploitation of each and every type of double-dealing, including the promotion of human rights and protection of women from harmful social and conventional practices.

Again, the CJ emphasized the importance of championing efficiency, integrity, and transparency in the justice delivery system and the Judiciary’s role in promoting human rights and investment-friendly environments.

“Judges can contribute to societal progress while safeguarding the rights of women and vulnerable populations”, Justice Torkornoo said.

Present at the event was the President of the Republic, HE President Akufo-Addo, who also addressed the conference.

In his opening address, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo praised the International Association of Women Judges (IAWJ) for its unwavering commitment to advancing women’s rights and combating harmful cultural practices.

He commended the dedication of women Judges across Africa in advocating for justice and fairness, particularly in addressing issues such as gender-based violence, child marriage, and female genital mutilation.

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The President reaffirmed the government’s commitment to upholding the rule of law and reiterated Ghana’s support for the Judiciary, emphasizing ongoing projects aimed at improving judicial infrastructure and ensuring the safety of Judges nationwide.

Justice Binta Nyako, President of the IAWJ, noted that women still face discriminatory norms, cultural practices, and systematic biases, resulting in barriers to accessing justice.

Also in attendance were Ghana’s Attorney-General & Minister for Justice Mr. Godfred Yeboah Dame, Executive Director of IAWJ, Ms. Christie Jones, Regional Director of IAWJ for West and South Africa, Hon. Justice Roli Harriman, Regional Director IAWJ for Central and East Africa and President of IAWJ, Ghana Chapter, Her Ladyship Justice Rita Agyeman-Budu.

The 5- day conference brought together 278 women Judges from 12 African Countries.