GUWAHATI: Supreme Court Judge Justice BV Nagarathna has emphasised the need for increased female representation in legal and professional fields, advocating for at least 30% of government law officers and legal advisors in public sector entities to be women. She also underscored the importance of ensuring gender diversity in judicial appointments.
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Speaking at a seminar titled "Breaking the Glass Ceiling: Women Who Made It" on Saturday, Justice Nagarathna outlined crucial measures to dismantle gender barriers in professional spaces, particularly in the legal profession.
Justice Nagarathna stressed that at least 30% of legal officers representing the Central and State Governments should be women, along with 30% of legal advisors empaneled in public sector institutions and state agencies. She further advocated for the elevation of competent women advocates to High Courts, pointing out that if male advocates under 45 years of age can be appointed as judges, then equally capable women should also be considered.
Highlighting education as the foundation of women's empowerment, she asserted that access to quality education enables girls to dream big, pursue their aspirations, and reach their full potential. She also stressed the need for mentorship programs, where experienced professionals can guide and support women navigating workplace challenges.
Justice Nagarathna emphasised the need to dismantle stereotypes and biases that hinder women’s progress. She clarified that ensuring inclusivity does not mean compromising merit but rather challenging societal norms that unfairly restrict opportunities for women.
She cited the Companies Act, 2013, which mandated greater female representation on corporate boards, resulting in women’s participation increasing from 5% in 2014 to nearly 10% by April 2015. Such policies, she noted, have led to the discovery of talented women professionals whose potential was previously overlooked due to gender biases.
Justice Nagarathna also highlighted the slow progress in women's political representation. While a Constitutional amendment reserving 33% of seats for women in Parliament and State Assemblies has been passed, its implementation remains delayed. She pointed out that as of 2024, women hold only 14% of Lok Sabha seats and 15% in Rajya Sabha, with ministerial representation at a mere 7%.
However, she noted that women's reservation at the Panchayat level has led to 1.4 million women being elected, demonstrating that structural support can enhance women's participation in governance.
Despite equal numbers of women and men graduating from top law schools, she observed that women remain underrepresented at senior levels in the profession due to systemic discrimination. She urged the judiciary to be sensitive and free from biases while handling cases involving women, emphasising that gender diversity among judges would bring broader perspectives to the decision-making process.
Justice Nagarathna also highlighted the achievements of pioneering women in the legal profession, paying tribute to Cornelia Sorabji (India's first female lawyer), Justice Anna Chandy (India’s first woman judge), and Justice M. Fathima Beevi (the first female Supreme Court judge). She also recognised the contributions of Justice Ruma Pal, Justice Sujata Manohar, and women leaders in India's Constitution-making, such as Durgabai Deshmukh, Amrit Kaur, and Sucheta Kripalani.
Additionally, she acknowledged the role of unsung women heroes, including ASHA workers and homemakers, who contribute significantly to society despite their work often going unrecognised. The seminar was organised by the University of Mumbai and the Indian Council of Social Science Research as part of the centenary celebrations of Cornelia Sorabji, India's first female advocate.
