Time for women to move out of comfort zones, take centre stage: Meenakshi Arora during Delhi HC Women Lawyers Forum discussion

A discussion on the topic ' Forging your own path' organised by the Delhi High Court Women Lawyers' Forum on Friday saw Senior Advocate Meenakshi Arora urge women lawyers to move out of their comfort zones and demand the central roles they deserve.

. During her address, Arora spoke about how women do not push themselves enough , as a result of which talented women do not make their mark even today. She recounted that this was the case with Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg as well, at some points of her career.

. After Justice Ginsburg's appointment as a United States Supreme Court judge, Arora recounted, the late judge was asked whether the Court had enough women judges.

Justice Ginsburg responded by stating there would be enough women judges when all nine Supreme Court judges are women, and added,

" There'd been nine men, and nobody's ever raised a question about that."

. Arora agreed with this notion, given that women have been traditionally underrepresented in diverse places.

. As for her own personal journey, Arora recounted that while there were barely 30 or 40 women lawyers when she started practice in the Supreme Court in around 1986, the numbers eventually dwindled down to 6-10. In the last few years, a lot more women have joined the legal profession, she added.

. She went on to observe that there is a need for more women judges , more so since women would bring a unique perspective to reading the law and constitutional values.

. "We (Women) form 50% population, we may not form 50% of Bar at the moment. But there is nothing to stop more representation. And do not give the position just because they are women. You have many talented women and many who are capable of taking up those positions, but they need that little push." Senior Advocate Meenakshi Arora . She added that in Justice Ginsburg's case, her husband helped with that push . As far as the legal profession in India is concerned, the push should come through sensitisation.

. While women are generally reluctant to take up leadership positions, it is time that they move out of their comfort zones, she said.

Do not be modest, Arora added as advice to young lawyers.

. " There is no room for it. You are as good as the next person. You have the confidence, you can do it. "

. She also emphasised that incorporating gender diversity in the legal profession should not be viewed as a "favour", but rather that women have to be appreciated for their merit.

. "When it comes to work, I don't want to be seen as a woman or a man, I am a lawyer first. Please don't do it because you are doing it as a "favour" to the gender." Senior Advocate Meenakshi Arora . During the discussion, Arora also mused on an advantage observed in virtual hearings that " very loud male colleagues cannot interrupt my arguments in the courtroom. "

. She pointed out that if women raised their voices in court the way men do, they may be shut down and their voices viewed as shrill. She advised that if such a situation is encountered, the lawyer should look for a slot when everyone has stopped speaking. Seize this time to speak, when the opponent is exhausted, she suggested.

. She added,

. "Early on, gender was an issue, but it is not as much an issue now. Judges will hear. If you feel you're not heard, just wait, find your voice when the other side is quiet."

. Justice S Muralidhar of the Punjab & Haryana High Court also rendered an address during the discussion. He narrated the various lessons learnt from the lives of five icons who have engaged in the law. The discussion was moderated by Advocates Mrinalini Sen and Saumya Tandon.

Time for women to move out of comfort zones, take centre stage: Meenakshi Arora during Delhi HC Women Lawyers Forum discussion

Meera Emmanuel

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