The U.S. Consulate in Casablanca hosted a ceremony on Tuesday, April 22, to honor Moroccan Judge Mina Sougrati, recently elected President of the International Association of Women Judges (IAWJ). Her election, which took place during the IAWJ's biennial conference on April 9 in Cape Town, marks the first time an Arab judge has held the organization's top post. «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», said U.S. Consul General Marissa Scott during the event. Judge Sougrati's journey with the IAWJ began in 2016, when she joined a pioneering Moroccan delegation of women judges at the association's conference in Washington, D.C.—a turning point that helped inspire the creation of the Union of Moroccan Women Judges (UMWJ), which she now leads. «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», said Sougrati. Her election follows Morocco's successful hosting of the 2023 IAWJ biennial in Marrakech, which brought together more than 1,200 women judges from across the globe, including 75 from both Morocco and the United States. The event marked a milestone in Morocco's emergence as a regional hub for judicial cooperation and reform. With over 15 years of experience in Morocco's Administrative Court, Judge Sougrati is widely recognized for her work on judicial integrity, women's rights, and legal reform. Her presidency highlights the growing strength of U.S.-Moroccan cooperation in the justice and security sectors.
