Today, the world celebrates the International Day of Women Judges, observed on March 10, 2025-an occasion that highlights the vital role of women in the judicial system and the importance of promoting their participation to ensure a more inclusive and fair justice system. Sudan has long suffered from a deep imbalance in the scales of justice, where women face fundamental challenges that hinder their access to decision-making positions within the judiciary. Despite the pivotal role that female judges play in upholding justice and reinforcing the rule of law, Sudanese women have minimal opportunities to attain high-ranking judicial positions due to the dominance of a patriarchal system within state institutions and the absence of genuine political will to reform the judiciary in a way that truly represents all segments of society.
Despite global progress in gender equality, Sudan still exhibits systematic discrimination against female judges. Women in the judiciary face informal barriers that limit their advancement, despite legal provisions guaranteeing equality. The reality remains that women are deliberately excluded from influential judicial circles. Leadership positions within the judiciary-such as Chief Justice and heads of high courts-remain exclusively male-dominated. Additionally, female judges encounter significant obstacles in career advancement compared to their male counterparts due to the male-centric decision-making processes entrenched in the judiciary. Moreover, conservative ideologies actively promote the notion that the judiciary is an unsuitable field for women, reinforcing a societal perception that undermines female judges and restricts their opportunities. Furthermore, women in the judiciary suffer from a lack of supportive policies that enable them to advance, such as access to professional training and development programs and a safe work environment free from discrimination and harassment.
The absence of women from judicial decision-making positions disrupts the balance of justice. Women’s issues, particularly those related to gender-based violence, family rights, and workplace equality, are often marginalized or inadequately addressed in courts, as they are handled from a male-dominated perspective lacking the necessary sensitivity and awareness. The lack of gender-responsive judicial policies perpetuates legal discrimination against women and erodes trust in the judiciary as a mechanism for justice. As a result, many women resort to seeking alternatives outside formal legal frameworks. Empowering women in the judiciary does not only enhance the integrity of the judicial system but also strengthens transparency, accountability, and institutional legitimacy.
At the Nubian Center for Peace and Democracy, we reaffirm the urgent need for comprehensive reforms to ensure fair representation of women in the judiciary. We call for the adoption of policies that actively integrate women at all levels of the judicial system, with a particular focus on eliminating barriers that prevent female judges from attaining leadership positions. Furthermore, we emphasize the importance of fostering a judicial environment that is equitable and free from discrimination, allowing women to fully exercise their role in achieving justice.
Achieving justice in Sudan requires a fundamental transformation of the judiciary to reflect the diversity of society and better respond to its needs. On this occasion, we urge all stakeholders-including state institutions, civil society, and human rights organizations-to work together to enhance women’s representation in the judiciary and ensure that the justice system becomes more inclusive and equitable for all.
Nubian Center for Peace and Democracy
March 10, 2025