Chief Justice highlights gender equality in judiciary at UNDP Conference

Bangla Press Desk:   Chief Justice of Bangladesh Syed Refaat Ahmed is currently in Bangkok attending the UNDP-organised Regional Convening on Judicial Leadership for Women Judges in Asia, titled “Shift Underway: Advancing Gender on the Bench for Sustainable Development.”

Addressing the regional forum on Thursday, the chief justice Ahmed emphasised that women’s inclusion in judicial leadership is vital for ensuring justice quality and advancing sustainable development.

He stated that women judges bring empathy, human insight, and lived experience to sensitive cases involving gender-based violence, workplace harassment, and family disputes—enriching the judicial process, said a press release.

Quoting the UN Human Rights Council report (A/76/142), he noted that women judges are often more attuned to issues of dignity and balance of power, making justice systems fairer and more inclusive.

Highlighting the situation in Bangladesh, the chief justice Ahmed pointed out that while 625 women judges serve in the district judiciary, only 10% of High Court judges are women, and no woman has yet been appointed chief justice.

Among 117 Supreme Court judges, only 12 are women, he said, adding that recent appointments—three women among 25 new judges—show structural and social barriers still exist.

He called for transparent recruitment, gender-sensitive workplaces, and strong mentorship networks to promote women’s leadership in the judiciary.

“True equality in the judiciary is not achieved through appointments alone—it requires a transformation in institutional culture,” he said.

The chief justice praised UNDP’s collaboration with the Supreme Court, the Government of Bangladesh, and civil society in promoting gender equality in the justice sector.

He also acknowledged the contributions of the European Union, Sweden, the United Kingdom, and Germany in supporting these efforts.

During his visit, the chief justice also held bilateral meetings with Thailand’s Minister of Justice Lt Gen Ruttaphon Naowarat, UNDP Deputy Regional Director for Asia and the Pacific Christophe Bahuet, and Nepal’s Deputy Chief Justice Sapna Pradhan Malla.

He is scheduled to return to Bangladesh on Saturday (18 October).

BP/TD