Another Filipino jurist is set to take the helm of a prestigious organization of women judges, which comprises over 6,500 members globally.
Supreme Court (SC) Associate Justice Maria Filomena D. Singh has been elected as the next President of the International Association of Women Judges (IAWJ) for the 2027-2029 term during the organization’s 17th Biennial Conference, held from April 9 to 12, 2025, in Cape Town, South Africa.
Currently serving as the IAWJ’s Regional Director for Asia Pacific, Justice Singh follows retired Chief Justice Teresita J. Leonardo-De Castro, who previously served as IAWJ President from 2014 to 2016.
The Philippine delegation to the Cape Town Conference was led by SC Associate Justice Amy C. Lazaro-Javier, IAWJ Vice-President for 2023-2025, and Associate Justices Henri Jean Paul B. Inting and Jhosep Y. Lopez.
During the conference, Justice Lopez, co-chairperson of the SC Committee on Gender Responsiveness in the Judiciary, elaborated on the ongoing efforts to build a safe and inclusive environment within the Philippine Judiciary that supports victim cooperation.
“These efforts aim to enhance trust in the justice system, recognizing victims as key sources of evidence in [gender-based violence] cases,” Justice Lopez said.
The IAWJ champions women’s leadership in the judiciary, combats sextortion, human trafficking, and gender-based violence, and advances inclusive and equitable justice systems.
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