Women judges hold the line against gender justice gap

Female judges are holding the global line when it comes to addressing the gap in gender justice despite stark courtroom disparities.

Women are significantly under-represented in courts, tribunals and other decision-making bodies that shape international law, human rights and accountability.

Yet a UN Women report published on Thursday highlights the case that institutions become more legitimate, credible and responsive to society with women at the helm.

In the small Pacific nation Kiribati, female representation in the justice system has been made a priority.

Women account for 38 per cent of magistrates and 29 per cent of legislators.

Although the land area is small, the 33 islands and atolls that make up the archipelago republic, 21 of which are inhabited, are scattered widely.

This means that for many Pacific women, the distance from justice is not measured in percentage points but in ocean crossings, Kiribati Women's Minister Ruth Cross Kwansing explains.

She has told an event held on the sidelines of the United Nations' 70th session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) in New York that countries cannot build just societies with justice systems that only include half the population.

"The depth of women's leadership across our legal institutions ... didn't happen by accident," she said on Thursday, local time.

"It happened because women in Kiribati refused to accept that justice was not their domain.

"It happened because they understood something fundamental: that when women hold the gavel, the law begins to see women too."

Around 3800km northeast of Brisbane, Kiribati faces ongoing challenges of rising seas, water scarcity and ecosystem loss caused by climate change.

This often impacts women more due to social and economic inequalities.

Empowering women to help drive resilient and fair, inclusive solutions in their judiciary roles was vital to addressing these inequalities, Ms Cross Kwansing said.

"Small island states are often invisible in global justice," she said.

"We call on partners, governments and multilateral institutions to step up co-operation through mechanisms like the gender justice platform and global networks like the International Association of Women Judges ... to move from individual wins to systemic change."

More than 3000 delegates representing governments, charities, non-government organisations and advocacy groups have been granted accreditation to attend this year's CSW conference.

Australia's delegation includes Office for Women executive director Padma Raman, Ambassador for Gender Equality Michelle O'Byrne AM and Sex Discrimination Commissioner Dr Anna Cody.

Attendees are this year discussing issues affecting women worldwide, including gender-based violence, health inequities, and economic inequality.

The theme of the conference is ensuring and strengthening access to justice for all women and girls.