The National Association of Women Judges (NAWJN) is one of the founding members of the International Association of Women Judges. The association is composed of women judges of superior courts of record in Nigeria. Any woman who holds a judicial position within the meaning of the constitution for the time being in force in Nigeria and who is in good standing is eligible for membership on payment of the dues prescribed in Article 10 of its constitution.

Hon. Justice A. M. Muktar (J.C.A), the first female to be elevated to the Supreme Court of Nigeria, was its first elected president. The current president of the association is Honourable Justice Rosaline P. I. Bozimo, the Chief Judge of Delta State, Nigeria.

The objectives and purposes of NAWJN are summarised thus; to provide a forum and resource centre to disseminate information affecting women judges; to urge an increase in the number of women judges in Nigeria so that the judiciary more appropriately reflects an equal role for women in society; to engage in research, study and participate in international, regional or national conferences, judicial exchanges and training programme; to encourage co-operation and collaboration between women judges of all nations; to address other important issues relating to the improvement and advancement of women in the judicial system and to encourage, promote and advance professional interaction among judges in Nigeria.

In line with its objectives, the association holds bi-annual meetings and conferences which are usually held in the months of May and November of each year. Several conferences have been held where issues affecting women and children were brought to the front burner. The most recent was the conference on Child Trafficking; its effect & consequences, held from the 23rd to 24th of October, 2009 at the prestigious Grand Hotel & Convention Centre, Asaba, Delta State. The conference communiqué is posted on our website.

We hosted the Third Africa Regional Conference of the International Association of Women Judges (IAWJ) in Abuja, Nigeria, from 17-20 October 2005. Judicial delegations attended from Kenya, Liberia, Uganda and South Africa. Participants presented papers on the conference theme, “Access to Justice: Culture, Religion, Gender, and Politics.” They also shared news from their national associations about recent programming, lessons learned and future directions, and discussed issues of common concern. Hon. Justice Arline Pacht of the United States, founder and first president of the IAWJ, presented a paper on the history of the IAWJ and was honored for her contributions to the association.