Moroccan Judge Mina Sougrati has been inducted as President of the International Association of Women Judges (IAWJ) during the association's biennial conference in Cape Town, South Africa, on April 9. This marks the first Arab judge to hold this role, which highlights Judge Sougrati's leadership and dedication to the judiciary. An event hosted by U.S. Consul General Marissa Scott in Casablanca on April 22 celebrated this achievement and the ongoing collaboration between the U.S. and Morocco in the justice sector.
The United States has supported Judge Sougrati's contributions to the judiciary since 2016 when she joined a delegation of Moroccan women judges at the IAWJ Biennial in Washington, D.C. This event laid the foundation for the Union of Moroccan Women Judges (UMWJ), which she now leads. The UMWJ is part of the global IAWJ network and promotes women's leadership in Morocco's judiciary.
Judge Sougrati's presidency follows Morocco's hosting of the 2023 IAWJ Biennial in Marrakech, which was the first in-person meeting since the COVID-19 pandemic and attracted over 1,200 women judges globally. This event underscored Morocco's role as a hub for legal dialogue and judicial reform.
Marissa Scott, U.S. Consul General in Casablanca, commented, “Judge Sougrati’s new leadership role underscores Morocco’s commitment to excellence in the judiciary. We look forward to continued collaboration in strengthening judicial institutions.”
Judge Sougrati stated, “This honor belongs not only to me, but to every Moroccan woman who has fought for justice, equality, and dignity in the courtroom and beyond.”
Judge Sougrati's career spans over 15 years in Morocco's Administrative Court, where she has advocated for women's and human rights and advanced judicial integrity initiatives. Her election reflects both a personal achievement and Morocco’s increasing influence in promoting justice and the rule of law internationally.