HISTORY OF THE KENYA WOMEN JUDGES ASSOCIATION

The Kenya Women Judges Association is an affiliate of the International Association of Women Judges which was formed in July, 1993 by Hon. Lady Justice Effie Owuor, J.A and Hon. Lady Justice Joyce Aluoch the only women judges then on the Kenyan High Court Bench. This was after the Hon. Lady Justice Joyce Aluoch had attended a meeting of 50 women Jurists from every continent who attended the 10th anniversary meeting of the US National Association of Women Judges, that they saw a need to act in concert to seek solutions for problems impending to equal justice for women; recognized that by speaking with a united voice, they could advance gender justice for all women. The meeting eventually spurred the formation of the IAWJ in 1991.

The Association was registered in July, 1993 with a membership of two (2) High Court Judges. It was registered under and exemption clause because there were only 2 women Judges. Later on, Ms. Valeria Onyango, the Deputy Chief Litigation Counsel at the Attorney General Chambers was co-opted. Thereafter other women Judges were appointed to the High Court Bench namely:- Hon. Lady Justice Roselyn Nambuye, Hon. Lady Justice Mary Ang'awa, Hon. Lady Justice Sarah Ondeyo-Omolo, Hon. Lady Justice Kalpana H. Rawal, Hon. lady Justice Jeanne Gacheche, Hon. Lady Justice Jessie Lessit, Hon. Lady Justice Hannah Okwengu, Hon. Lady Justice Joyce Khaminwa and Hon. Lady Justice Martha Koome. The Association has now thirteen (13) full members who include Commissioner of Assize Mrs. Pamela Tutui and Chief Litigation Counsel Ms. Valeria Onyango.

Apart from women judges, the Association's membership includes women commissioners of assize, women magistrates and women lawyers from the Attorney General's Office.

The Kenya Women Judges Association has organised many workshops including one on Sexual offences Against Women and Children in collaboration with women in Administration of Justice through funding from UNIFEM and UNICEF in 1998.

The Kenya Women Judges Association spearheaded the formation of the Family Division of the High Court. The Association organised a workshop towards the establishment of the Family Division of the High Court in April, 2000. The Recommendations were given to the Hon. The Chief Justice who subsequently appointed an Administrative Committee chaired by Hon. Lady Justice Joyce Aluoch to work out the modalities of forming the Family Division. The Committee was broad based and consisted of several stakeholders. It made a report which was accepted by Hon. The Chief Justice and on 21st December, 2000, he launched the Family Division of the High Court.

Next >>