Supreme Court Judge Justice Ayesha A Malik was honored with the International Leader/Lifetime Award at the Justitia Awards 2026 Gala held in Vienna, Austria. This prestigious recognition celebrated her significant contributions to the advancement of law and justice, alongside her dedicated efforts to promote equality, human rights, and the increased participation of women in the legal profession and judicial institutions.

During her visit to Vienna, Justice Malik also took part in the Women in Law Conference 2026, where she delivered a keynote address titled “Roadmap to Equality and Women’s Rights in Practice.” She reflected on her professional journey, beginning with her appointment to the Lahore High Court in 2012 and culminating in her historic elevation as the first female judge of Pakistan’s Supreme Court in 2022. In her speech, she candidly discussed the challenges and opportunities she encountered as a woman serving in the judiciary.

Justice Malik emphasized the critical importance of integrating a gender perspective into legal analysis and judicial decision-making. She argued that the pursuit of equality must go beyond formal legal provisions to consider the real-life contexts in which women interact with the law. Highlighting her own judicial philosophy, she underscored the necessity for legal principles and courts to effectively address women’s lived experiences, particularly in relation to dignity, equality, and their treatment within the justice system.

The award was presented in the presence of judges, lawyers, and legal professionals representing various jurisdictions, underscoring the international recognition of Justice Malik’s impactful work in the legal field.