Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud has been vocal about the crucial need for more women in the judiciary. At the Hindustan Times Leadership Summit, he recounted his experiences working with Justice Bela Trivedi to highlight why gender diversity is essential in the legal profession.
Significance of More Women in the Judiciary
CJI Chandrachud emphasized that increasing the number of women judges is vital for several reasons:
- Enhanced Representation: Women bring unique perspectives and experiences to the judiciary, which can lead to more nuanced and empathetic judgments.
- Promoting Gender Equality: The presence of women in high judicial positions challenges entrenched gender biases and promotes equality within the legal system.
- Improving Public Trust: A judiciary that reflects the diversity of society is more likely to be trusted and respected by the public.
Experience with Justice Bela Trivedi
Reflecting on his time working with Justice Bela Trivedi, CJI Chandrachud noted how her approach to cases and her understanding of the challenges faced by women added significant value to their judicial work. Justice Trivedi’s insights were particularly valuable in cases involving women’s rights and gender-based issues, where her perspective as a woman provided depth and empathy that might otherwise have been lacking.
Overcoming Barriers
CJI Chandrachud also addressed the barriers that women face in the legal profession. These include:
- Societal Expectations: Women often juggle professional responsibilities with societal and familial expectations, which can hinder their career progression.
- Work Environment: The legal profession needs to create more supportive and inclusive environments for women, ensuring that their workplace conditions allow them to thrive.
- Cultural Shifts: There is a need for a cultural shift within the judiciary to eliminate fear and reluctance among judges, particularly regarding granting bail to undertrials and addressing sensitive cases with the necessary compassion and understanding.
Initiatives for Change
The CJI highlighted several ongoing initiatives aimed at increasing the representation of women in the judiciary, such as:
- Recruitment Drives: Enhanced recruitment efforts in states with higher levels of women’s education.
- Infrastructure Improvements: Ensuring better facilities and support systems for women judges, such as dedicated restrooms and childcare facilities.
- Educational Programs: Promoting legal education among women to prepare them for judicial roles.