Half Empty Or Half Full: All A Matter Of Perspective

In a recent decision (click here) involving the reinstating of two civil judges in Madhya Pradesh, Justice Nagarathna of the Supreme Court made some key observations on the representation of women in the judiciary. She said that three factors needed to be ensured: (i) that women enter the legal profession, (ii) that they stay in the profession, and (iii) that they advance professionally.

Justice Nagarathna pointed out that the impact of increasing women's participation, especially in the judiciary, would have a spillover effect into many areas, such as (i) senior judicial appointments shifting gender stereotypes, and changing attitudes of women's roles; (ii) overall impact on greater representation of women in other decision-making positions; and (iii) More women judges, who are also therefore more visible, can encourage women to seek justice and enforce their rights through the courts.