LAST WEEK we could not help but notice and applaud the appointment of two women to the two highest offices in the Judiciary.  This is a major achievement in the advancement of women, taking their equal place in every facet of society. The appointment of acting Chancellor,Yonette Cummings- Edwards,and acting Chief Justice,Roxanne George-Wiltshire, though not the first time a woman has held such position, the notable nature of it is the filling of the two top positions by this gender.
These appointments coming after Justice Desire Bernard, who held both titles which marked a first for Guyanese women, and later serving as the first female Justice on the Caribbean Court of Justice which marked a first in the Caribbean, and where historically women have been discriminated against in public life, any advancement in erasing the sordid legacy cannot be ignored.
Historically in our society,women have stood beside their men folk. During this nation’s evolution from slavery, through indenture-ship, to colonialism and even today, women have held their own in the various struggles to bring about equality and justice for themselves and others. There is no denying,even today,that during street protests this gender is usually the most vocal, very visible, often times out-numbered by men, pushing to advance a cause or improve the standard of living. Unfortunately,our history, from slavery to now, has not accordingly documented and given deserving recognition to the contributions of women and this is an area worthy of examination with the aim of correcting the deficiency.
An undeniable strength women bring to a society’s body politic is their perspective on issues. This may probably be informed by socialisation in the home where more attention is directed to this gender, from childhood, to play the nurturing role.  This expectation carries with it the cultivating of home economics practices at an early age, developing the skills to multi-task, and looking out for others within the family and community. Where these inform a sense of compassion and judicious decision-making, when taken into work life they help to shape and influence a more humane society.
In 2015,Winnie Byanyima, Executive Director of Oxfam International, presented the case that women’s participating in decision-making is highly beneficial. In an interview with Inter Press Service, as she made clear the input of women in improving society, which should not be seen from that of gender contestation,  “there is evidence to show through research that when you have more women in public decision-making, you get policies that benefit women, children and families in general.”
The judiciary is a branch of government and its role of adjudicating should also include ensuring that laws are consistent with modern standards. And oftentimes it takes the convincing knack of women to make such a case. Our judiciary not only cries out for strengthening its independence through financial autonomy, but also modernisation in infrastructural development, and a cadre of personnel that aids its credibility as the force of justice necessary to a nation’s growth and development.
There are laws in our statues that are archaic and fall short of human rights, while some are too draconian, and others need revisiting consistent with what is now considered socially acceptable conduct.
Forging relations between the branches of government- executive, legislature and judicature- to bring our judiciary into the 21st century would redound to the good of all. In a society where justice has not been served as in instances where case jackets have disappeared, the state’s representation poorly prepared and defended, and too many delayed hearings, all put a damper on the judicial system and the people’s confidence in it.
Madames George-Wiltshire and Cummings-Edwards come to the offices at a time when confidence in the judiciary is not at its peak, but with the freshness they bring to the offices, the society will repose confidence in them to steer an archaic, dysfunctional, and under-performing system into effectiveness and modernity.