Judicial ethics: Female magistrates are reminded of the judge's "delicacy"

At their third ordinary general assembly, the Association of Women Magistrates of Senegal placed at the center of their discussions a notion as essential as it is demanding: "The delicacy of the judge".

The association's president, Marie Odile Thiakane Ndiaye, reiterated the purpose of the meeting, which featured a presentation by one of their elders who shared his experience on the ethical requirements of the judicial function. This presentation, delivered in particular by Amadi Ba, highlighted a concept that is "not institutionally defined" but essential in the judge's daily practice.

At the heart of the discussions: the exemplary conduct of the magistrate, both in appearance and in social interactions. According to the president, judges are entrusted with responsibilities of rare intensity, comparable to "quasi-divine" functions, which demand constant vigilance from them.

"There was talk of the judge's appearance, environment, relationships, and the risks of suspicion. So, functions that we would describe as almost divine are entrusted to humans. And that is why we are asked to do much more than others," she explained, stressing the need to avoid any situation that could tarnish the credibility of the judicial institution.

A heavy burden to bear for men and women called upon to operate within an ordinary social framework, but subjected to extraordinary expectations.

“It is extremely difficult for a human being navigating their environment, who has the right to have relationships, to demand so much of them… There is a threshold beyond which we must not go. We will revisit our status and review our behavior. I must affirm that female magistrates respect their status. I must affirm that magistrates, every day in their office, give of themselves to uphold their status, with the utmost respect for the Senegalese people, for whom justice is served. Much is asked of judges, and this is legitimate because the Senegalese people have always aspired to the best, to perfection,” the magistrate acknowledged, mentioning the need to find a balance without ever crossing certain lines.

Despite these constraints, Marie Odile Thiakane Ndiaye seeks to reassure. She affirms that magistrates, and in particular female magistrates, strive every day to respect their status, with the aim of delivering justice that meets the expectations of the Senegalese people.

She praised the commitment of the young female magistrates, trained in accordance with the values and principles of the profession. "Repetition is educational," she emphasized, urging them to remain consistent and rigorous in their mission.

Faced with increasing societal demands, the association intends to continue its work of reflection and improvement of practices.

"We understand that the Senegalese people are demanding. And we will make sure to be beyond reproach," she assured.

Founded in August 2022, the Association of Women Magistrates of Senegal does not limit its activities to the judicial sphere. It also carries out initiatives to promote the education of young girls, convinced that access to knowledge remains a fundamental driver of social transformation.

In this context, awareness campaigns are regularly organized in middle and high schools to encourage interest in the judiciary. Preparation sessions for the judicial entrance exam are also offered to support female candidates.

“I usually tell them: all our problems come from ignorance. So, we usually go to high school and middle school girls to tell them that it is possible. We were like you. We weren’t born with silver spoons in our mouths. We want to break this glass ceiling. We want to encourage them to want to go further,” explains Ms. Ndiaye.

The association also makes its mark on the international stage, particularly in New York, through meetings with women's organizations from around the world, with the aim of sharing experiences and good practices.

The latest illustration of this commitment: a mission to Ziguinchor, where 150 young girls were made aware of the importance of education and professional ambition.

According to the magistrate: "A developing country needs all its vital forces. And female magistrates fully intend to play their part."