Documentos de Académico
Documentos de Profesional
Documentos de Cultura
The Beijing Platform of Action in 1995 has declared in bold and deft
strokes that equality between women and men is a matter of human rights and
a condition for social justice. It is also a necessary and fundamental prerequisite
for equality, development and peace. A transformed partnership based on
equality between women and men is a condition for people-centred sustainable
development.
This declaration verified a fact that has slowly been accepted by various
states since the 19th Century. Gender equality is crucial in nation-building and
development. However, forwarding the cause of gender equality cannot be
limited only between the legislature and the executive tasked to craft and
enforce laws. It is important that institutions that provide redress for rights
violated are equally kept abreast to these developments. The Judiciary, which
ensures the Rule of Law should also actively take part in forwarding cause. As
observed by Prof. Kenneth Dama of the University of Chicago Law School:
No degree of substantive law improvementeven worlds best
practice substantive lawwill bring the Rule of Law to a
country without effective enforcement. A sound judiciary is key
to enforcement.
Thus, the Judiciary through resolving controversies, in the sense of
protecting fundamental rights and liberties play a crucial role is safeguarding the
rule of law. Judges as agents of the Judiciary bears a heavy burden in ensuring
that their decisions are not only consistent with the law but also with the ends of
justice. Justice Jose B. Luis Reyes of the Philippines Supreme Court best
articulated this when he said that a judge has no other master but the law, no
other guide but conscience and no other aim but justice.
Conclusion
The Judiciary as the last bastion of democracy should take an active role in
ensuring that its decisions promote an inclusive society. It does not have to wait
for the legislature or the executive to draft and enforce new laws. It only needs a
sincere and loyal compassion to the ends of justice and ensuring that no one
gets left behind.