The Chinese Taipei Chapter of the IAWJ celebrated its 30th anniversary
Judge Yueh-Ling Chao, New Taipei District Court
Chinese Taipei Chapter of the IAWJ
On January 17, 2025, the Chinese Taipei Chapter of the IAWJ celebrated the 30th anniversary of its establishment with a spectacular event that brought together distinguished judicial officers from across the island. Women judges representing judicial districts from different counties and cities converged to mark this noteworthy milestone, and most former presidents of the Chapter gathered for this special occasion, adding to the event’s historical significance.
The event commenced with powerful speeches by the Acting President of the Judicial Yuan and the Chapter President, Tsai-Chen Tsai, setting a tone of reflection and inspiration, followed by a compelling video presentation chronicling the Chapter’s three-decade history and achievements. Traditional Dragon and lion dance performances added cultural flair, while enthusiastic elementary school children delighted attendees with their string orchestra performance. Hot Dance Club students from the College of Law, National Taiwan University, energized the gathering with impressive dancing, and a luncheon featuring a quintet of women judges provided a beautiful musical interlude that symbolized the artistic and professional excellence of women in the judiciary.
The group photo of the Chapter’s previous Presidents, including the current President, Tsai-Chen Tsai, and Senior Justice Pi-Hu Hsu (third and fourth from the right)
The anniversary reached its pinnacle with the attendance of eight representatives from the Korean Association of Women Judges (KAWJ), marking a significant moment of international solidarity.
During the luncheon, members of both the Chinese Taipei Chapter of the IAWJ and KAWJ created a memorable highlight by holding “Happy Birthday” signs written in more than 20 different languages, accompanied by a collective performance of the song “Proud of You” with melodious harp music. The International Affairs Committee of the Chapter meticulously planned this celebration, symbolizing the global sisterhood of women judges.
The KAWJ representatives were also given an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour of the island's most prestigious judicial institutions, including the Judicial Yuan, Constitutional Court, High Court, and Supreme Court. What made this tour particularly remarkable was that both the High Court and Supreme Court are led by female Chief Justices, with both being the first women to hold these respective positions in the judiciary's history; both Chief Justices are also active members of the Chinese Taipei Chapter of the IAWJ. All these facts left an indelible impression on the Korean delegates, highlighting this jurisdiction’s progressive stance on women’s leadership in the judiciary.
The Korean delegates and the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, Meng-Hsun Kao (fourth from the left)
The overwhelmingly positive feedback from attendees confirmed the 30th-anniversary festivities as a resounding success. In addition, the Chapter launched a special commemorative publication that offers a profound look into its rich history. This comprehensive volume captures the mental journey of past presidents, pays tribute to deceased predecessors, chronicles major events throughout the years, and shares candid accounts of the challenges and experiences in participating in biennial conferences. The publication also includes heartfelt birthday wishes from both members and friends of the Chapter in other areas of expertise.
The Chapter remains committed to its core mission of promoting gender equality and supporting the professional development of women judges in East Asia. This milestone celebration honored three decades of remarkable achievements and renewed its dedication to advancing women’s leadership in the judicial system. The event demonstrated the Chapter’s ongoing efforts to create a supportive network, foster professional growth, and break down barriers for women in the legal field.