She was elected to the position last week at the IAWJ’s biennial conference which took place in Auckland, New Zealand.

Maya is presently the president of the country’s Supreme Court of Appeal.

The organisation assembles judges from 82 countries and world regions.

Judge Maya joins other appointees from the African region, including President elect of the IAWJ, Justice Binta Nako of Nigeria, and Kenya’s Justice Hanna Okwengu, who is regional director, east and central Africa.

Maya had keen support from Justice Sanji Monageng, former Justice of the International Criminal Tribunal, Hague, who said she was an “advocate for gender equality and justice and the appointment of women in the judiciary”.

Her nomination was also supported by the Malawi Women’s Association and the Institute for African Women in Law which said: “Justice Maya’s professional record, proven integrity and her tireless advocacy for the rights of women and children is well demonstrated.”

Her appointment means that she will represent all members of the region and promote the IAWJ in bilateral and regional forums and promote inter-regional communication and collaboration.

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