Supreme Court (SC) Associate Justice Amy C. Lazaro-Javier emphasized that women in the judiciary are no longer just striving for power but have become a transformative force within the institution.
“Women are no longer just striving to gain power; they have become the very source of power itself,” Lazaro-Javier said during the Supreme Court’s Women’s Month celebration on March 3, with the theme “Babae: Sapat ka! Higit pa! – a Celebration of Women as Pillars of the Rule of Law and a Just and Humane Society.”
“They are no longer fighting for empowerment; they are embodying it,” she furthered.
Chief Justice Alexander G. Gesmundo highlighted the growing presence of women in the judiciary, noting that they now comprise 56% of trial court judges and hold key leadership positions in the appellate courts.
Among the 15 sitting Supreme Court justices, two are women—Associate Justices Amy C. Lazaro-Javier and Maria Filomena D. Singh. Meanwhile, the Court of Appeals and the Sandiganbayan are both led by female presiding justices, Fernanda C. Lampas-Peralta and Geraldine Faith A. Econg, respectively.
Gesmundo emphasized that this increasing representation reflects a significant transformation in the legal profession, stating, “Women are indispensable to the progress of our nation.”
“A nation that truly values and supports women’s contributions is a nation that prospers,” he added.
While recognizing these advancements, he stressed that true empowerment goes beyond numbers and requires ensuring that women’s leadership, insights, and expertise actively shape institutional policies and the nation’s cultural landscape.
Associate Justice Henri Jean Paul B. Inting, co-chairperson of the Committee on Gender Responsiveness in the Judiciary, underscored that gender equality requires more than opportunities—it demands institutional support.
“Achieving gender equality is a collective duty and not solely the responsibility of women,” Justice Inting said.
The event also highlighted the growing prominence of women in the legal profession, with Associate Justice Jhosep Y. Lopez noting that more women than men have passed the Bar Exams since 2013.
Meanwhile, in the 2024 Shari’ah Bar Exams, 62.3% of passers were female, with nine of the 11 topnotchers being women.
“These figures are more than statistics—they are proof of women’s resilience, brilliance, and rightful place in the judiciary,” Justice Lopez said.
The judiciary’s commitment to gender inclusivity is also reflected in the Supreme Court’s Strategic Plan for Judicial Innovations 2022-2027, which seeks to eliminate gender discrimination in court processes and decision-making.
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