Supreme Court Justice BV Nagarathna on Saturday called for 30 percent reservation for women advocates in State and Central government lawyers panels..She said that at least 30 percent of the government law officers should be women and a similar number of women lawyers should be in the panel of legal advisors for public sector units.Lack of adequate representation of women in legal advisory roles has resulted in systemic gender inequality, she opined."As far as the legal profession is concerned, at least 30 percent of the law officers representing the Central or State governments must be women. Further, at least 30% of all Public Sectors’ empanelment of legal advisors must be women, so also in all State instrumentalities and agencies. Further, elevation of women advocates who are competent to the High Courts is a solution to have greater diversity on the Bench," she said.She was speaking at a seminar on the topic "Breaking the Glass Ceiling: Women Who Made It."The seminar, organized by the University of Mumbai and the Indian Council of Social Science Research, was held as part of the centenary celebrations of Cornelia Sorabji, the first female advocate in India.In her speech, the judge also highlighted the issue of women’s under representation in the judiciary, adding that women under 45 years old are often not appointed as judges of High Courts despite the fact that men below that age are regularly appointed. "If male advocates can be appointed even though they are less than 45 years to the High Courts, then why not competent women advocates," she asked..If male advocates can be appointed as HC judges even though they are less than 45 years, then why not competent women advocates below that age.Justice BV Nagarathna.The judge also highlighted the pivotal contributions of women who have broken through professional barriers. She spoke of Sorabji’s achievements, particularly her completion of a Bachelor of Civil Law from Oxford University, making her the first woman to do so. Sorabji then became the first Indian woman to practice law and used her legal expertise to support vulnerable women and children. “Cornelia Sorabji utilised her education to advocate for and protect the interests of a vulnerable section of women – purdanashin women – as their representative in the Court of Wards,” Justice Nagarathna said..She also recounted the struggles of Regina Guha, one of the first women to attempt joining the legal profession. Guha had applied to be enrolled as a pleader at the District Court in Alipore but the Calcutta High Court ruled against her stating that the Legal Practitioners Act made no reference to women. Justice Nagarathna also acknowledged the contributions of other pioneering women in law, including Justice Anna Chandy, the first woman District Judge in 1937 and later the first woman High Court Judge in 1959. She noted that Chandy, like many other women in law, faced opposition and mockery from male students and professors.She further celebrated Justice Fathima Beevi, the first woman to serve as a judge of the Supreme Court of India..Besides them, Justice Nagarathna also talked about the achievements of 'unsung women', who although may not have made their name through professional achievements, contributed significantly and left their imprints on the lives around them. She also called for recognition of Asha workers. "Their importance is not always visible but in many ways, these are the women who hold the fort for their family members to conquer the world outside. Raising children and managing households also requires a great deal of leadership, intellectual ability, and creativity."Justice Nagarathna emphasized that women’s progress in the legal profession is not just about personal achievements but about collective efforts to break down systemic barriers. Breaking the glass ceiling requires challenging traditional gender roles and virtues and education is of paramount importance for the same, she said."Education of women is paramount and so is their continuous participation in the workforce. When girls are educated, they are empowered to dream big, to pursue their passions, and to achieve their full potential," she stated.She also stressed on the need to blend the traditional virtues of both men and women into a new framework for success..Women's entry into the workforce should not be hindered by age or the responsibilities of motherhood and household duties since the same often lead to fewer women advancing to senior positions.In this regard, she discussed the challenges women face when balancing career and family life, referring to what she termed the “motherhood dilemma.” or the 'husband dilemma' for those who are intending to get married.These according to her are are the questions which we as modern society must deliberate and consecutively act upon.Finally, Justice Nagarathna called for a shift in societal attitudes, urging a reevaluation of outdated gender roles."We need to challenge and dismantle the stereotypes and biases," she said, urging for collective action to break the barriers women face in professional spaces.
Supreme Court Justice BV Nagarathna on Saturday called for 30 percent reservation for women advocates in State and Central government lawyers panels..She said that at least 30 percent of the government law officers should be women and a similar number of women lawyers should be in the panel of legal advisors for public sector units.Lack of adequate representation of women in legal advisory roles has resulted in systemic gender inequality, she opined."As far as the legal profession is concerned, at least 30 percent of the law officers representing the Central or State governments must be women. Further, at least 30% of all Public Sectors’ empanelment of legal advisors must be women, so also in all State instrumentalities and agencies. Further, elevation of women advocates who are competent to the High Courts is a solution to have greater diversity on the Bench," she said.She was speaking at a seminar on the topic "Breaking the Glass Ceiling: Women Who Made It."The seminar, organized by the University of Mumbai and the Indian Council of Social Science Research, was held as part of the centenary celebrations of Cornelia Sorabji, the first female advocate in India.In her speech, the judge also highlighted the issue of women’s under representation in the judiciary, adding that women under 45 years old are often not appointed as judges of High Courts despite the fact that men below that age are regularly appointed. "If male advocates can be appointed even though they are less than 45 years to the High Courts, then why not competent women advocates," she asked..If male advocates can be appointed as HC judges even though they are less than 45 years, then why not competent women advocates below that age.Justice BV Nagarathna.The judge also highlighted the pivotal contributions of women who have broken through professional barriers. She spoke of Sorabji’s achievements, particularly her completion of a Bachelor of Civil Law from Oxford University, making her the first woman to do so. Sorabji then became the first Indian woman to practice law and used her legal expertise to support vulnerable women and children. “Cornelia Sorabji utilised her education to advocate for and protect the interests of a vulnerable section of women – purdanashin women – as their representative in the Court of Wards,” Justice Nagarathna said..She also recounted the struggles of Regina Guha, one of the first women to attempt joining the legal profession. Guha had applied to be enrolled as a pleader at the District Court in Alipore but the Calcutta High Court ruled against her stating that the Legal Practitioners Act made no reference to women. Justice Nagarathna also acknowledged the contributions of other pioneering women in law, including Justice Anna Chandy, the first woman District Judge in 1937 and later the first woman High Court Judge in 1959. She noted that Chandy, like many other women in law, faced opposition and mockery from male students and professors.She further celebrated Justice Fathima Beevi, the first woman to serve as a judge of the Supreme Court of India..Besides them, Justice Nagarathna also talked about the achievements of 'unsung women', who although may not have made their name through professional achievements, contributed significantly and left their imprints on the lives around them. She also called for recognition of Asha workers. "Their importance is not always visible but in many ways, these are the women who hold the fort for their family members to conquer the world outside. Raising children and managing households also requires a great deal of leadership, intellectual ability, and creativity."Justice Nagarathna emphasized that women’s progress in the legal profession is not just about personal achievements but about collective efforts to break down systemic barriers. Breaking the glass ceiling requires challenging traditional gender roles and virtues and education is of paramount importance for the same, she said."Education of women is paramount and so is their continuous participation in the workforce. When girls are educated, they are empowered to dream big, to pursue their passions, and to achieve their full potential," she stated.She also stressed on the need to blend the traditional virtues of both men and women into a new framework for success..Women's entry into the workforce should not be hindered by age or the responsibilities of motherhood and household duties since the same often lead to fewer women advancing to senior positions.In this regard, she discussed the challenges women face when balancing career and family life, referring to what she termed the “motherhood dilemma.” or the 'husband dilemma' for those who are intending to get married.These according to her are are the questions which we as modern society must deliberate and consecutively act upon.Finally, Justice Nagarathna called for a shift in societal attitudes, urging a reevaluation of outdated gender roles."We need to challenge and dismantle the stereotypes and biases," she said, urging for collective action to break the barriers women face in professional spaces.
