CEBU, Philippines - For Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia, it is in women judges, with their unique, compassionate perspective that “we find the hope for true justice.”
Garcia was the keynote speaker during the opening of the 16th annual convention of Philippine Women Judges Association (PWJA) held at Radisson Blu Hotel.
The activity is the first PWJA national convention held outside Metro Manila. PWJA is composed of all women justices and judges from the Supreme Court down to the Metropolitan Trial Courts.
“Being a judge puts one in a position of power reserved to only a few. But discharging that power, as a woman, gives you a perspective that’s truly unique,” Garcia told the judges.
She also stressed that women are bearers of life and moreover, entrusted with nurturing that life to its full potential.
“It is our unenviable role to rear children into becoming responsible human beings,” she said.
The universal symbol of justice is a blindfolded woman which Garcia said speaks of the universal hope that she who bears life, and nurture life, give life to the true meaning of justice.
“For the woman force, in the sense that it gives birth to new life, is also the force of change,” Garcia said.
The two-day convention attended by around 250 lady judges nationwide is focusing its discussion on “sextortion.”
Garcia is grateful for the convention saying that the issue at hand continues to be an obstacle to the true empowerment of women and the freedom of both men and women alike.
“In a society where the rights and potential of women are constrained, no man can truly be free. He may have power, but he will not have freedom,” Garcia said.
Garcia is hoping that women judges in the country will continue to be the “breath of life” that systems of laws needs to be of continuing relevance, and force of change that justice system needs to survive. (FREEMAN)