Maria Julia Requena

A pioneering Peruvian feminist and judge who championed women's legal rights and equality in Latin America

Maria Julia Requena (1893–1980) was a Peruvian lawyer and judge who broke gender barriers in Latin America's legal system. As the first woman to graduate from the National University of San Marcos Law School (1917), she fought tirelessly for women's suffrage and property rights. Her 1920s campaign led to Peru's 1929 law granting women legal capacity, a landmark achievement in the region.

In 1939, she became Latin America's first female judge, presiding over Lima's family court. She authored the Código de la Niñez (1940), revolutionizing child welfare laws. Requena co-founded the Peruvian Feminist Federation in 1931, advocating for education access and labor rights. Her 1945 speech at the UN's Commission on the Status of Women highlighted Latin American women's struggles to global audiences.

Her legacy is preserved in the Peruvian National Museum's archives. Despite her historical significance, her contributions remain underrecognized outside academic circles. Her legal reforms laid groundwork for modern gender equality frameworks in Peru and beyond.