Women Judges in Conversation: 3rd Annual Conference for Women Constitutional Judges from MENA Region

The "Women Judges in Conversation: 3rd Annual Conference for Women Constitutional Judges from MENA Region" is an event organized by the Rule of Law Programme Middle East and North Africa (MENA) of the Konrad Adenauer Foundation (KAS). Held on 11–12 May 2026 at Villa La Collina in Cadenabbia, Italy, the conference brought together women constitutional judges and legal experts from across the MENA region and beyond. The event aimed to foster in-depth dialogue on contemporary constitutional challenges through an interactive and comparative format.

Key topics covered during the conference included the role of constitutional courts in protecting the rights of future generations, the practice of judicial abstention, the principle of proportionality in the enforcement of constitutional rights, and the importance of women's roles on constitutional courts in transitional settings. Participants engaged in discussions on constitutional adjudication, judicial reasoning, institutional challenges, and the evolving role of constitutional courts in safeguarding rights and upholding the rule of law.

The conference featured several panels moderated by experts in the field. Notable speakers included Ambassador Feisal Amin Rasoul al-Istrabadi, Founding Director of the Center for the Study of the Middle East at Indiana University; Prof. Dr. Susan H. Williams, Former Director of the Center for Constitutional Democracy; and Prof. Dr. Hans Joerg Dietsche, Director of the KAS Rule of Law Programme MENA. These sessions provided valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities faced by women constitutional judges in the MENA region.

The conference was designed for women constitutional judges, legal experts, and scholars interested in constitutional law and the role of women in the judiciary. It offered a platform for participants to exchange experiences, discuss emerging constitutional challenges, and strengthen regional and international networks among women constitutional judges and constitutional law experts.