ALL women judges in the country will take a “day off” today in observance of the International Day of Women Judges.
The United Nations has declared March 10 as International Day of Women Judges, but the Philippine judiciary will observe this Monday, March 11, said Senior Associate Justice and acting Chief Justice Marvic Leonen in a memorandum order dated March 8.
“This year, we will observe the International Day of Women Judges on March 11, 2024, Monday,” Leonen said.
“As we commemorate this international day, I am inviting all justices, judges and court personnel to unite and participate in observing the role women in the judiciary play to strengthen our judicial institutions and uphold judicial integrity,” he also said.
In the same order, Leonen underscored the resilience, persistence, and determination of the women sector to promote meaningful freedoms of women justices, judges and court personnel, and their key role in upholding the rule of law, equality, and peaceful dispute resolution.
“We cannot emphasize enough the role women play in our society and the role women judges play in upholding the rule of law,” he said.
Since the High Court was established in 1901, only 18 women associate justices have been appointed out of 194 associate justices.
Of the 18, two were subsequently named as Chief Justice — Teresita Leonardo de Castro and Maria Lourdes Sereno.
However, Sereno is no longer considered as the 24th chief justice since the High Court has ruled that her appointment was not legal for failing to file certain required financial documents.