Just society only possible when women are represented in justice system: President Ram Nath Kovind

While laying the foundation stones of the new National Law University (NLU) at Allahabad and the new building of the Allahabad High Court, President Ram Nath Kovind emphasised on the need for the representation of women in the justice system if we wish to achieve a just and equitable society. ."A just society will only be truly achieved when women are represented in the justice system, in addition all other fields. Today, including the Supreme Court and High Courts, there are less than 12% women judges," he said during his address..The President elaborated that in order to fulfil the goals set by the Directive Principles of State Policy, it is essential to induct more women into the judiciary."If we want to achieve the Directive Principles of our Constitution, we must increase the participation of women in the judiciary. I hope that in this High Court, women lawyers, officials, and judges increase in number.".He placed the responsibility to meet this goal on the Allahabad High Court, while noting that this was where the historic and futuristic decision to enrol the first woman advocate of India, Cornelia Sorabji was taken..The President reasoned that women have proven to be better equipped and more inclined to impart justice and have excelled in workplaces despite other responsibilities. "Ordinarily, women have a greater inclination towards justice. There may be certain exceptions to this, however, they have the nature, mentality, and quality to impart justice. Be it parents, in-laws, husband or children- working women maintain a balance amongst all and yet, in their workplace act as examples of excellence.".President Kovind also found it pertinent to mention the struggle for access to justice faced by the poor in our country. "I have been lucky that directly or indirectly, I have interacted with the three organs of the government - Legislature, Judiciary and Executive. I have seen the struggle of the poor to access justice from close quarters." .He remarked that the public's faith in the judiciary is dwindling, and that common citizens hesitate to approach courts to resolve a dispute."Everybody has an expectation from the judiciary, but ordinarily people hesitate from seeking judicial intervention. To increase the public faith in judiciary, we must change this situation.".The President recommended that timely and affordable justice were the keys and stated that it is the government's responsibility to ensure that everyone receives justice."Everybody should receive timely justice; the system should be affordable, judgments should be easy for common citizens to understand. Especially women and weaker sections should receive justice, this is our responsibility. This will only be possible when there is a change in the thought process and work culture of all stakeholders associated with the justice system and there is sensitivity.".[Read a Live Account of the ceremony]