The meeting hosted in the capital, Baghdad, resulted in the issuance of the “Baghdad Declaration,” which included the establishment of the Arab Women Judges Network and the adoption of Baghdad as its permanent headquarters. This step enhances Arab judicial cooperation among women and reinforces joint efforts among female judges across Arab countries.
The Iraqi Women Judges Association hosted the joint meeting with a delegation of Arab women judges in Baghdad, in cooperation with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) – Regional Bureau for Arab States. The meeting came within the framework of supporting initiatives aimed at empowering women in the judiciary and strengthening professional coordination among Arab women judges.
The meeting was attended by the President of the Iraqi Women Judges Association, Judge Taghreed Abdul Majeed, along with members of the Board of Directors, as well as Judge Mena Sakarati, President of the International Association of Women Judges. Female judges from Morocco, Qatar, Algeria, Yemen, and Palestine also participated, reflecting a diverse Arab presence in the founding meeting.
The meeting was held over two days, from 13–14/2/2026, as part of the work of the founding committee of the Arab Women Judges Network. Discussions focused on establishing the foundational pillars of the network and building its organizational and institutional framework.
The meeting also included drafting the vision and mission, defining the strategic objectives of the network, and unanimously adopting Baghdad as its headquarters by the participating judges representing Iraq, Morocco, Qatar, Algeria, Yemen, and Palestine.
In the Baghdad Declaration, the network affirmed its independent and non-political professional nature and its commitment to operating within relevant national and international legal frameworks. It also emphasized adherence to the principles of judicial independence, the rule of law, professionalism, and mutual cooperation, while respecting the legal and judicial specificities of Arab countries.
The declaration further highlighted the importance of coordinating Arab efforts to develop women’s judicial performance, exchanging professional expertise, and enhancing channels of communication and cooperation among Arab women judges, thereby supporting the advancement of justice and strengthening the role of women in the judiciary across the Arab region.
