Supreme Court judge Justice BV Nagarathna on Saturday hailed the reservation for women in gram panchayats and asserted that at least 30% of law officers representing the Union and state governments must be women.
If male advocates under 45 years can be appointed to HCs, then why not competent women counterparts, the apex court judge questioned while addressing a seminar on ‘Breaking Glass Ceiling: Women Who Made It’ organised by the University of Mumbai.
“To successfully break the glass ceiling, we must not let girls and women of tomorrow be conditioned to the anachronistic lens of gender roles and virtues. There is no virtue for success that is exclusive to men and lacking in women,” she stated, highlighting the lack of role models and mentors for young women in the legal profession.
She emphasised the importance of acknowledging and following in the footsteps of women who have shattered barriers while also recognising those whose contributions may not have made headlines but have nonetheless left an impact on society. “Raising children and managing households also require a great deal of leadership, intellectual ability, and creativity,” she noted.
Justice Nagarathna said that political representation of women in rural India has improved due to reservations in panchayati raj institutions, leading to 1.4 million elected women representatives, which is bound to enhance gender sensitivity in policymaking. However, she pointed out that while a law has been enacted to provide 33% reservation for women in Parliament, it has yet to come into effect.
“Even as of 2024, women held only 14% of Lok Sabha seats and 15% in Rajya Sabha. They occupied less than 7% of ministerial positions. The benefits of women in positions of power percolate to the commercial sphere as well,” she said.
She further stressed the need for a judiciary that is sensitive, independent, and free from biases at every level. While the number of female graduates from leading law schools and universities is nearly equal to that of men, she noted that this parity does not translate into equal representation in the profession, particularly at senior levels.
Justice Nagarathna also outlined three key factors in assessing women’s professional progress: their entry into fields, their ability to sustain themselves in those fields, and their advancement to leadership positions.
Speaking at the event, Maharashtra’s first female Chief Secretary Sujata Saunik encouraged young women to pursue their ambitions and take their rightful place in society. She said that while challenges persist, progress is being made through policies that promote equal opportunities and remove barriers to women’s advancement.
The seminar, organised under the leadership of Mumbai University Vice-Chancellor Professor Ravindra Kulkarni, featured distinguished women achievers, including Saunik, INFLIBNET Director Professor Devika Madalli, social activist Sunita Haldekar, Mann Deshi Foundation founder Chetna Gala Sinha, and Padma Shri awardee Rahibai Popere. The event aimed to honour trailblazing women across various fields and inspire the next generation to pursue leadership roles.
