Joaquine Antoinette De-Mello, a retired Judge of the High Court of Tanzania and, immediate past Chairperson of Tanzanian Women Judges Association (TAWJA) & Past Vice Chair, Judges and Magistrates Association of Tanzania (JMAT). Holder of both LLB Honours &, Masters in Business Administration (International Trade and, Business)
Ms. Joaquine holds various prominent positions such as First Woman President of the Bar (Tanganyika Law Society), Executive Director of Tanzania Women Lawyers Association, Commissioner- Commission for Human Rights and, Good Governance, First Chairperson of the Legal Service Facility, Chairperson, Tanzania Human Rights Defenders Coalition, currently Chairing the Independent Grievance Mechanism (IGM) for Petra Diamonds Plc UK/Williamson Diamonds Limited (WDL) aka Mwadui Mines.
Ms. Joaquine’s Notable and Publications include Tanzania Gender Bench Book on Women’s Rights – Lead Consultant 2019 (website); International Legal Assistance Consortium (ILAC) – Justice in Rwanda: An Assessment 2007 (website); Advocating for Good Governance & Accountability in East Africa – Best Practises; Opportunities & Challenges to Enhance Partnership for International & Regional Reporting; New Technologies & Gender in the Judiciary; Human Rights and Business – Tanzania’s Perspective (website)and Child Marriages (IAWJ Auckland) – Unconstitutional – Gyumi’s case (website)
Her previous Awards and Honors include HERSTORY, Gender Trailblazer Award by WiLDAF 2025; Life Time Achievement Award by Tanzania Women Judges Association 2023; Recognition as First Woman President Award by Tanganyika Law Society 2024, Seventy (70) years Celebrations; 2012 – Woman of Courage Award by the American Government, US Embassy Dar Es Salaam; Life Time Achievement’ Award in 2012 by the TanganyikaLaw Society for Outstanding Service to the Profession and the Community at large (Founder of Legal Aid Day Legacy during my Presidency tenure); 2008 TLS Award for ‘Dedication and Commitment’ as the First Woman President of the TanganyikaLaw Society, the Bar of the country of United Republic of Tanzania and Honorary Membership Award Outstanding EALS Council member, Deputy Secretary General & Chair of EALS Land Acquisition Committee.
LEGACY: Legal Aid Pioneer/Champion and, founder of Legal Aid Day by Tanganyika Law Society.
