Lack of gender diversity continues to be norm in judiciary: Justice Gita Mittal

Former Jammu and Kashmir High Court Chief Justice Gita Mittal on Saturday paid her tribute to women lawyers and judges who helped shape Indian legal field and contributed to the role of empowerment of women in law. .Justice Mittal said that lack of gender diversity continues to plague judiciary and the legal profession is male dominated..“I have been asked to speak about women stalwarts. Most of their time goes into overcoming barriers and breaking glass ceilings. The profession has been male dominated, women are forced to find creative ways to break in among the privileged few. It is important to their contributions to both the bar and bench. Lack of gender diversity in the bench continues to be the norm,” she said.Justice Mittal was speaking on the theme “Legal Stalwarts and their Contributions to the Modern Indian Judicial System” at the 3rd Justice HR Khanna memorial symposium, organised by the Confederation of Alumni for National Law Universities Foundation (CAN Foundation)..In her speech, Justice Mittal highlighted the role of several women in the profession of law. She spoke about late Cornelia Sorabji, who despite not being given a license to practice after studying law in Oxford, helped several women and orphans after getting an assistant’s job at the court of wards in Bengal. She heaped praise on late Regina Guha who was the first to challenge rules barring women from becoming pleaders."A 5-judge bench of the Calcutta High Court unanimously held that only males can be pleaders and she (Guha) changed her profession. But her application later led to amendment," Justice Mittal said..She described the appointments of Justices Fatima Beevi (first lady Supreme Court judge) and Anna Chandy (first lady judge and subsequently High Court judge) as monumental. Similar sentiments the appointment of Justices Leila Seth (first woman Chief Justice of at a High Court) and Indu Malhotra (to the Supreme Court) as catalysts of change, she said..Justice Mittal also recounted the role of former Supreme Court judge Justice Ruma Pal, and praised sitting Delhi High Court judge Justice Prathiba M Singh for spearheading the courts IP division. Further, she specifically highlighted the role of Senior Advocate Indira Jaising in fighting for the cause of women. .“Her relentless pursuit of justice and human rights has left a tremendous impression in the profession. She contributed greatly to CEDAW drafting that lead to domestic violence law in India. Our judiciary is now celebrated for the Vishakha judgment … The role played by such women has helped break stereotypes," Justice Mittal said..Justice Mittal batted for flexible work hours, work from home option, targeted subsidies and stipends and compensating for gaps in practice due to reasons like pregnancy, as measures to encourage women to overcome barriers and pursue law.