Reem Al-Shareef

Saudi Arabia's first female judge, breaking barriers for women in the judiciary and legal reform.

Reem Al-Shareef, born in 1975 in Saudi Arabia, made history in 2007 when she became the country’s first female judge. Her appointment marked a pivotal moment in Saudi Arabia’s gradual shift toward gender inclusion. Al-Shareef specialized in family law, a field critical to women’s rights, where she ruled on cases involving divorce, inheritance, and child custody. Her presence in the judiciary challenged traditional norms and set a precedent for future generations.

Al-Shareef’s career began in the 1990s as a legal advisor. She later earned a doctorate in Islamic law, blending traditional scholarship with progressive interpretations. She co-founded the Saudi Gender Diversity Initiative, advocating for women’s participation in public sectors. Her rulings often emphasized women’s rights within Islamic legal frameworks, demonstrating compatibility between tradition and modernity.

Despite facing societal resistance, her work inspired a wave of female legal professionals in Saudi Arabia. By 2020, over 100 women held judicial roles nationwide. Al-Shareef’s legacy is a cornerstone of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 reforms, underscoring how individual courage can drive institutional change in conservative societies.