On the occasion of the 31st Rabat International Publishing and Book Fair, with more than 60 countries represented, the Council of Europe and the CEPEJ were invited on 2 May 2026 by the High Council of the Judiciary (CSPJ), in the institutional hall, to a debate on the role of women judges in the Moroccan justice system.

This round table, moderated by Ms Amal Lamniai of the CSPJ, reaffirmed that a justice system more representative of society—one that includes more women judges—can help strengthen women’s access to justice. The importance of increasing the number of women in positions of responsibility helps break the glass ceiling. Moreover, access to justice for women must be a priority in democracies, whether through awareness-raising campaigns on rights, particularly in remote areas, support processes within investigative services and courts, or legal aid systems ensuring that legal costs are not a barrier for women seeking to assert their rights.

The Moroccan participants—Ms Amina Oufroukhi and Ms Hendaz Aziza from the Office of the Public Prosecutor, and Ms Amina El Malki and Ms Latifa Taoufiq from the CSPJ—outlined the evolution of women’s role in the Moroccan justice system. They emphasized that the progress observed in recent years is the result of long-term institutional efforts, targeted public policies, and also the courage and commitment of women judges themselves. Ms Maria Ruotanen, Director General of Democracy and Human Dignity at the Council of Europe, as well as the Executive Secretary of the CEPEJ, recalled the missions of the Council of Europe, particularly in the areas of gender equality, protection of women victims of violence, and the role of women within judicial systems and as users of justice.

This meeting follows on from the international conference held on 29–30 April 2026, on the theme: “Women Judges’ Journeys: 65 Years of Moroccan Experience and Comparative Perspectives”, organized by the CSPJ and the Council of Europe, in particular the CEPEJ and the Violence Against Women Division —within the framework of the MA-JUST programme .

In 2025, the International Publishing and Book Fair welcomed more than 400.000 visitors.