Advancing Women’s Leadership in Law: IAWJ’s Reflections from the Reykjavik Global Forum 2024
The Reykjavik Global Forum 2024 was a dynamic gathering that brought together leaders, advocates, and change-makers dedicated to advancing gender equity across the world. In particular, Co-Impact convened a coalition of Women in Leadership in Law (WILIL) grantees committed to amplifying the voices of women across the justice sector. Among the many powerful discussions, those focused on law and justice stood out, highlighting the critical role of women in shaping more equitable and inclusive institutions.
The energy and collaboration underscored a shared truth: we are stronger together. Through collective action and shared vision, we can drive meaningful change for women.
Co-Impact WILIL Coalition, RGF Contingent: International Association of Women Judges GQUAL Campaign FEMNET - African Women's Development and Communication Network IAWL ~ Institute for African Women in Law Clooney Foundation for Justice Purpose University of Johannesburg Asia Justice Coalition Global Health 50/50
Key Takeaways: Driving Systemic Change through Women’s Leadership1
1. Leadership Is About Equal Power
It is no longer enough to advocate for women in leadership; the goal must be to achieve equal power. This means ensuring women have the authority and influence to shape institutions, rebuild trust in declining systems, and lead on critical issues affecting justice and equity.
2. Collaboration Amplifies Impact
Progress is a shared endeavor. By bringing together individuals with diverse skills—lawyers, academics, advocates, data analysts, etc.—we can create more comprehensive solutions to challenges in law and justice. Collaboration allows us to harness the unique strengths of each sector, building a foundation for sustainable, systemic reform.
3. Storytelling as a Catalyst for Transformation
To create a more equitable world, we must shift narratives. Telling compelling, authentic stories can help bridge divides, reach disengaged audiences, and challenge entrenched norms. Storytelling has the power to humanize issues, highlight systemic inequities, and inspire cultural change. It is a tool to amplify the voices of women leaders and make their experiences resonate on a global scale.
4. Leadership Must Be Transformative
Leadership today calls for courage and disruption. Women leaders are uniquely positioned to redefine what leadership looks like—breaking old molds, listening with empathy, and championing innovative solutions to entrenched problems.
5. Changing Institutions and Cultures Together
Policy reforms are important, but they must be accompanied by cultural shifts within institutions. True change happens when systems are rebuilt to reflect principles of equity and justice—not just structurally but also in the values and behaviors they uphold.
Leadership Reimagined: Strategic Interventions for Women in Law
As the Senior Program Officer for IAWJ’s Women in Leadership in Law (WILIL) initiative, I had the privilege of participating in a LeadersTalk panel, hosted by Co-Impact and partners, entitled “Leadership Reimagined: Strategic Interventions for Women in Law,” alongside a distinguished group of experts: Maria Noel Leoni Zardo (GQUAL), Rothna Begum (Clooney Foundation for Justice), and Sarah Hawkes (Global Health 50/50), with Mandira Kalra Kalaan (Purpose) moderating. Our discussion centered on the critical role women play in driving systemic change within the legal sector.
RGF LeadersTalk panel, hosted by Co-Impact and partners, entitled “Leadership Reimagined: Strategic Interventions for Women in Law,” alongside a distinguished group of experts: Maria Noel Leoni Zardo (GQUAL), Rothna Begum (Clooney Foundation for Justice), and Sarah Hawkes (Global Health 50/50), with Mandira Kalra Kalaan (Purpose) moderating.
During the panel, I highlighted the significant role of women judges in advancing reform through their involvement in both in-country and global associations like IAWJ. These networks offer vital support, foster collaboration, amplify voices, and enable women judges to advocate for systemic change. I shared insights from our work in five WILIL pilot countries—Kenya, Mexico, Nigeria, South Africa, and the Philippines—where judges face unique challenges, yet have identified innovative solutions such as coalition-building, policy reforms, and mentorship/sponsorship/networking. Membership in organizations like IAWJ has empowered judges to lead reform efforts, shifting mindsets, and driving institutional policy changes that strengthen judicial systems.
The panel also touched on shared strategies for leveraging platforms, utilizing data, and promoting intersectionality in advocacy. We discussed how coalitions and strategic alliances can address gender-based violence, promote gender justice, and institutionalize these values into legal frameworks. Rothna Begum explored the next generation of gender justice champions, while Maria Noel Leoni Zardo emphasized the role of data in shaping advocacy and the importance of increasing women in key international decision-making roles, and Sarah Hawkes reflected on the intersection of global health and gender justice and the importance of utilizing data and developing organizational accountability measures.
Ultimately, our conversation highlighted how collective action—through policy reform, leveraging data, and coalition-building—can transform legal systems and empower women leaders to drive meaningful change.
The Role of Associations in Driving Systemic Change
The International Association of Women Judges (IAWJ) serves as both a catalyst and a connector. By establishing and supporting associations around the world, IAWJ creates a network of women judges who are united by a shared mission: to drive systemic change within their courts, communities, and institutions.
IAWJ is committed to institutional transformation. By forming associations that tackle issues at both the local and global levels, the organization ensures that cultural change is as much a priority as policy reform. Particularly through the WILIL initiative, associations work to influence judicial practices, promote gender-sensitive approaches, and create environments where equity thrives.
Looking Ahead: Building a More Equitable Future
The Reykjavik Global Forum underscored the critical urgency of collective action to advance women’s leadership in law and justice. The path forward demands not just increasing the presence of women in decision-making roles but ensuring they have the authority and support to lead bold, systemic transformations. Together, we have the power to reimagine and rebuild institutions—making them truly inclusive, equitable, and trustworthy.
IAWJ stands at the forefront of this effort, fostering connections that empower women judges to lead change locally and globally. As the world continues to grapple with pressing challenges, the leadership of women in the judiciary will be essential to creating a future rooted in fairness, equity, and justice for all.
President of Iceland (2nd woman elected): Halla Tómasdóttir
Pictured also:
FEMNET - African Women's Development and Communication Network
- Key Takeaways adapted from Purpose.