Do not compromise with subjugation, discrimination, violence: Justice Gita Mittal to women judges

Women judges should not compromise with discrimination or violence in any form, former Jammu & High Court Chief Justice Gita Mittal exhorted her companion judges at the International Association of Women Judges (IAWJ)..The COVID-19 pandemic, like all other adversities, have had a disproportionate impact on women, she said while expressing hope that the pandemic ends soon and normalcy is restored.“Let your pens speak up for rights, my sisters – do not compromise with subjugation, with discrimination, with violence of any genre or hue. Let each of you be celebrated for your impartiality, your commitment, your honesty, your humility, your hard work and your fairness,” she said. .Justice Mittal was speaking at the Biennial conference of the IAWJ on May 7 when she was also presented with Arline Pacht Global Vision Award 2021.“An award is something least expected when you take the oath of office as a Judge. Judgeship is a mission, a way of life which you impartially discharge with dedication and honesty. This award, from the IAWJ has therefore completely overwhelmed me. I extend my heartfelt gratitude to the IAWJ for the recognition accorded to my work and the honour which has been bestowed on me,” she stated. .The Arline Pacht Global Vision Award is presented to a sitting or retired woman judge, to recognize her contributions to the IAWJ and IAWJ's goals which encompass promoting and protecting the human rights, especially for women and children, promoting and empowering women judges who can help uproot gender bias, end discriminatory laws, advance gender- responsive courts and ensure access to justice.Justice Mittal is the first Indian judge to receive the award.The other recipient of the award this year is Margarita Luna Ramos from Mexico..The IAWJ, founded in 1991, is an ecosystem of more than 6000 global women judges from over 100 countries. Many distinguished jurists of the international community have been its members including Chief Justices Brenda Hale from the UK, Beverly McLachlin from Canada; Georgina Wood from Ghanal, Dame Sian Elias from New Zealand; Graciela Dixon from Panama; Sushila Karki from Nepal and several Supreme Court judges among others.From the Indian Judiciary, Justice Sujata Manohar and Justice Ruma Pal from the Supreme Court and several High Court judges have been its members.Justice Mittal has been a member of IAWJ since 2005..Justice Mittal said that the faith instilled by sisters judges at the IAWJ led her to undertake path-breaking judicial initiatives and intervention.“It was not easy to walk the razor edge and not over step into what is termed as judicial over reach. But your blessings and support enabled me to meaningfully contribute to legislations in the field of sexual violence as well as the environment,” said Justice Mittal.She added that her efforts were dedicated to creation of level playing spaces for all, especially for women..“I urge my Sisters from across the globe that if you succeed in this, you will have ensured equality and fair treatment for women and the marginalised at every level,” she said..Justice Mittal started her law practice in 1981 and was appointed judge of the Delhi High Court in 2004. She took charge as the acting Chief Justice of the Delhi High Court in 2017 and was, thereafter sworn appointed Chief Justice of Jammu & Kashmir High Court in 2018.Currently, Justice Mittal is the chairperson of the Broadcasting Content Complaints Council and a member of many non-governmental organizations.Mittal had earlier received Nari Shakti Puruskar Award, the highest civilian honour for women in India, in 2018.In year 2019, she was bestowed with the Justice PN Bhagwati Award by the Capital Foundation in recognition of her outstanding contribution in the field of judicial administration.