Women in Judiciary

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The article discusses the significant under-representation of women in India's judiciary, emphasizing the need for systemic reforms to support their retention and advancement.

Despite efforts to increase women’s entry into the legal profession, the judiciary remains under-represented at higher levels. Data shows only 13.4% of judges in High Courts and 9.3% in the Supreme Court are women. States like Bihar, Chhattisgarh, and others have minimal female representation. The Bar also faces similar disparities, with only 15.3% of advocates being women. Systemic issues such as gender biases, lack of dedicated infrastructure for women, and their primary role as caregivers contribute to the problem. Transfer policies and family obligations further hinder women’s advancement to senior judicial positions. Current policies often focus on entry-level inclusion, neglecting long-term retention. The judiciary must adopt a gender-sensitive approach, considering the unique challenges faced by women, such as infrastructure needs, child care, and systemic biases. Solutions include family-friendly policies, adequate infrastructure, and promoting women to decision-making roles. The article stresses that reforms in policy and legal framework are critical to ensuring greater gender parity at all levels in the judiciary.