Empowering women

"Unbelievable, a 27-year-old female judge, she must be exceptionally skilled and a subject matter expert", read a comment posted on the Gulf News website following the appointment of the first female judge in Dubai. "This is a very remarkable moment in the history of the UAE", read another comment shortly after Ebtisam Ali Rashid Al Bedwawi became the first female judge to be sworn in before His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, on March 27, 2009.

"Working as a judge is a national duty… being the first female judge in Dubai gives me a feeling of pride and supports our leaders' wisdom and vision especially in terms of the empowerment of women in our country. I respect and highly appreciate our leaders' support. The empowerment of women started in the days of the late Shaikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan. I wholeheartedly thank President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan and his brother His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum for their assistance and encouragement," says Ebtisam, who attained a masters degree from the Dubai Police Academy in 2007.

Members of the justice sector across the UAE welcomed and praised Ebtisam's appointment as the first female judge to join the family of juries at Dubai Courts Department. She became the UAE's second female judge, the appointment of Judge Kholoud Ahmad Jua'an Al Daheri (in Abu Dhabi Courts) in March 2008 being the first.

Equal opportunities

Judge Ebtisam, who was married in Sharia court and is about to move into her spouse's house, believes that female judges can shine as equally and distinctly as male judges.

"Judicial studies and practice of law are the same for both sexes. Women are as capable as men and can serve the judicial sector well. I have been doing my best to be up to the challenge since I became a practising judge. Now we will be facing more challenges because our responsibility and duty as judges requires us to do more research and work harder. I have been trying my best to be as loyal, hardworking and pious as possible," said Judge Ebtisam when she spoke to Gulf News on the occasion of the 38th National Day.

Born in 1982, Ebtisam holds a bachelors degree in Sharia and Law from the UAE University, where she graduated in 2004. She worked as a legal researcher at the Ministry of Education between 2006 and early 2009 (until her appointment as judge).

She conveyed her sincere congratulations and best wishes to Shaikh Khalifa, Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid, their brothers the Rulers and Shaikhs, Emiratis and residents of the UAE on the occasion of National Day.

"I also would like to take this historic opportunity and call on our leaders to have more support for the empowerment of women in the justice sector.

"We have shown great improvement and advancement in the standard of the UAE's justice sector, but women should have better role, more participation and become more involved in the sector to acquire more experience," said Judge Ebtisam.

A current member of the Association of Sharia and Law, Ebtisam practised as a criminal judge in June and August and currently chairs Dubai Civil Courts, which handle commercial lawsuits.

Another day at the office

Judge Ebtisam described her appearance as part of the Court of First Instance's jury.

"Honestly, it was an ordinary presence... I didn't feel afraid or hesitant.

"My appearance was part of my participation and experiencing [of] criminal court proceedings," she said.

Judge Fahmi Mounir who presided over the jury that included Ebtisam said, "This is my first experience to preside [over] a panel that includes a female Emirati judge... it's nice and ordinary. I don't believe there is any differentiation between a male or female judge because in the justice system there is no preference between sexes."

His deputy, Judge Dr. Ali Al Galadari, described the experience as "glowing and honourable". "Women judges should have experience in all jurisdictions," he said. As part of her training, Ebtisam was a practising judge in the Real Estate Court in June.