Worldwide, have overseen a ministry of justice or analogous government agency responsible for executing a country's legal system. Of that number, 142 women have been in charge of ministries of justice or analogous agencies in Europe, 39 have been in North America, 27 women have been in Africa, 26 women have been in Asia, 18 women have been in South America, and 11 women have been in Oceania.
Adriana OlguÃÂn became the first female justice minister worldwide upon becoming Chile's minister of justice and human rights on 29 July 1952. Five years later, Ho Jong-suk became the first female justice minister in Asia, serving in this role in North Korea. In 1960, Stella Soulioti became the first female European justice minister as Minister of Justice and Public Order of Cyprus. North America would see the first woman serve in such a role when Yolanda Myers de Vásquez assumed charge of El Salvador's Public Ministry in 1967. Twenty-nine years later, Hawa Sisay-Sabally became Minister of Justice of The Gambia, the first such minister in Africa. Finally, Hilda Lini became the first minister of justice in Oceania in 1996 upon becoming Minister of Justice of Vanuatu.
Norway is the country with the most female justice ministers, with 15 ministers of justice and public security. In contrast, various countries, such as Lebanon and Samoa, have only had one female justice minister or equivalent political officeholder.
The totals for this list include only female justice ministers or equivalents of sovereign states. Acting justice ministers, as well as administrators of justice of dependent territories and subnational entities, are excluded from this article.
The following list includes all women who have served as national justice ministers or analogous governmental officials in Africa. Politicians are listed based on the starting dates of their tenures.
The following list includes all women who have served as national justice ministers or analogous governmental officials in Asia. Politicians are listed based on the starting dates of their tenures.
The following list includes all women who have served as national justice ministers or analogous governmental officials in Europe. Politicians are listed based on the starting dates of their tenures.
The following list includes all women who have served as national justice ministers or analogous governmental officials in North America. Politicians are listed based on the starting dates of their tenures.
The following list includes all women who have served as national justice ministers or analogous governmental officials in Oceania. Politicians are listed based on the starting dates of their tenures.
The following list includes all women who have served as national justice ministers or analogous governmental officials in South America. Politicians are listed based on the starting dates of their tenures.
Additional lists of female ministers