This past Friday, I had the honor of attending the launch of African Women Judges: Storytelling as Judicial Freedom, edited by Professor J. Jarpa Dawuni—a distinguished academic, lawyer, and founder of the Institute for African Women in Law. Professor Dawuni’s work reaffirms that our identities as African women in law—and beyond—are not only multidimensional but deeply powerful. Her scholarship centered on storytelling as a form of judicial freedom, encouraging us to transcend judicial opinions and statistics to humanize the bench.
Why should the female judges serving on the Court have to justify or validate their presence or role on the Court? As long as we meet the statutory qualifications and are duly elected, we have as much right to sit on that Bench and to participate in the settlement of State disputes, without having to validate or justify our presence there with “value addition,” period.” – Professor Jarpa Dawuni
Trailblazing Women in Kenya’s Judiciary
The volume highlights the remarkable journeys of women jurists whose legacies continue to shape our path:
- Justice Effie Owuor — Kenya’s first female State Counsel, magistrate, High Court judge, and later Court of Appeal judge; a trailblazer in every sense.Wikipedia
- Justice Joyce Aluoch — Remembered for entering a judiciary unprepared for women—there weren’t even ladies’ toilets. Her persistence changed that narrative.Wikipedia
- Justice Nancy Baraza — My thesis supervisor and lecturer; she became Kenya’s first Deputy Chief Justice after the 2010 Constitution, guiding transformative judicial reforms.E-Bookshelf
- Justice Hannah Okwengu — Rising through the judicial ranks over 40 years to the Court of Appeal, while leading mentorship and solidarity through IAWJ in Kenya.Wikipedia
Their stories are not just history—they are invitations. Invitations to imagine a justice system shaped by lived experience, empathy, and integrity.
“A first is never for yourself alone — it is for all those who will follow.” — Justice Effie Owuor.
Storytelling as Institutional Memory
According to Dawuni, storytelling enriches our understanding of the judiciary’s role in access to justice, gender equity, and legal transformation across Africa. It’s not abstract; it’s the power to preserve narratives, to inspire, and to anchor progress in human stories.
“When the path seems impassable, I remember that I walk on trails carved by women before me.” — Justice Joyce Aluoch.
A Personal Reflection: Presence, Legacy, and the Magic of Moments
Sitting in that room—surrounded by women who redefined what a judiciary could look like, and men who showed up to celebrate that redefinition—felt surreal. As a magistrate of 13 years, I could’ve been “just going through the motions” every day, but moments like this remind me that it all adds up. There are women looking to me, seeing my walk, listening to my judgments—and the way I live matters.
Earlier in the event, my dear friend and younger “sister” in the law, Hon. Susan Gitonga, masterfully MCed—even claiming she barely prepared. When called up to pray, I gathered myself and did it. I even reconnected with one my lecturers from 19 years ago, including Pamela Ager. The presence of Chief Justice Martha Koome, Chief Justice Emeritus Dr. Willy Mutunga, and AG Emeritus Amos Wako lent both gravitas and warmth to the afternoon. I left inspired and filled with hope.
I found myself thinking: Forty years from now, what will people say about me? Will my story be one that nudges someone else into courtroom leadership? That thought urges me to live with purpose, awareness, and grace.
Takeaways for Younger African Women in Law
- Speak your story. Your narrative matters. Storytelling affirms our humanity and preserves our institutional memory.
- Find and offer mentorship. The legacy of Owuor, Aluoch, Baraza, and Okwengu shows how important role models are.
- Celebrate representation. Numbers matter, yes—but so do how we fill that space—with intention, ethics, and empathy.
- Embrace your whole self. Professor Dawuni’s example reassures us that dual identities—like lawyer and psychologist—can be synergistic, not limiting.
In Closing: Who Will Tell Your Story?
If the lioness doesn’t tell her story, who will?
Professor Jarpa Dawuni’s edited volume isn’t just academic—it’s a call to document, to inspire, to carry forward lives that shaped justice. We stand on the shoulders of giants and it is now our turn to tell the stories that matter, so the next generation finds a clearer path.
“We stand taller not just by our own strength, but on the shoulders of those who dared before us.” — Justice Dr. Nancy Baraza.
Resource List for Early-Career Women in Law
1. Key Readings & Foundational Texts
- African Women Judges: Storytelling as Judicial Freedom – Edited by Professor Jarpa Dawuni. Captures the lived experiences of African women jurists and underscores storytelling as a form of judicial freedom.
- Gender and the Judiciary in Africa: From Obscurity to Parity? – Jarpa Dawuni & Gretchen Bauer. A deep dive into women’s representation and experiences in African judicial systems.
- The Conscious Parent – Dr. Shefali Tsabary (for balancing demanding careers with intentional parenting).
- Women and the Law in Africa: A Reappraisal – Explores how law intersects with gender, culture, and rights in African contexts.
2. Oral Histories & Storytelling Platforms
- International Association of Women Judges (IAWJ) – African Chapter
Offers archives, speeches, and recorded interviews with women judges across Africa. - Judicial Service Commission of Kenya – Archives & Publications
Includes interviews and commemorations of retiring judges. - African Feminist Forum (AFF) Oral History Project
Documents personal narratives of African women leaders in various fields, including law. - YouTube / Podcast Channels
- Pioneers of African Law (interviews with senior women jurists)
- Women in the Law Podcast (global perspectives with African episodes)
3. Mentorship & Professional Networks
- International Association of Women Judges – Kenya Chapter
Provides mentorship, networking, and advocacy for gender-sensitive justice delivery. - International Association of Women Judges (IAWJ) – Global & Regional Chapters
Peer learning, leadership training, and mentorship pairing. - African Women Lawyers Association (AWLA)
Legal empowerment, mentorship, and leadership workshops. - Jarpa Dawuni’s Institute for African Women in Law (IAWL)
Offers structured mentorship programs, research fellowships, and leadership seminars. - Young Lawyers Association – Kenya
Networking and early-career professional development.
4. Conferences & Events Worth Attending
- IAWJ Biennial Conference – Rotates globally, featuring African jurists.
- KWJA Annual Conference – Focus on Kenyan women in law and justice reform.
- African Union Legal & Policy Dialogues – Opportunities to connect with continental decision-makers.
- IAWL Webinars & Training – Online and in-person sessions on gender, law, and leadership.
5. Self-Development & Work-Life Balance
- Psychology for Lawyers: Understanding the Human Factors in Legal Practice – For insight into emotional intelligence and mental health in legal work.
- Peer Support Circles – Join or create safe spaces for women lawyers to discuss challenges and wins without judgment.
6. How to Use This Resource List
- Start with African Women Judges: Storytelling as Judicial Freedom to understand the history you’re stepping into.
- Pair readings with oral histories to get both the formal and human perspectives.
- Join at least one mentorship network and commit to attending one conference a year.
- Keep a personal journal of your journey, inspired by the storytelling model—your own story will inspire someone 20 years from now.
