Women Have A Greater Inclination Towards Justice : President Bats For More Women Representation In Judiciary

President Ram Nath Kovind on Saturday emphasised upon the need to increase representation of women in the judicial system in order to achieve a just and equitable society. The President was speaking at an event to lay the foundation stones of the new National Law University at Prayagraj, Allahabad and the new building complex of the Allahabad High Court. 

"A society full of justice will be established only when the role of women in the judicial system increases", the President stated. He further specified that at present the representation of women in the judiciary was less than 12 percent and that it should be increased. 

The President further elaborated that in order to fulfill the ideals of our Constitution, the Allahabad High Court must induct more women in 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."

The President further cited the example of the Supreme Court wherein he stated that for the first time in history, there are four women judges out of the total strength of 33 in the Apex Court. 

The Supreme Court currently has only 4 women judges out of 33. Three of the four judges- Justices Hima Kohli, BV Nagarathna and Bela Trivedi had been appointed on August 31 pursuant to the recommendation by the Supreme Court Collegium on August 17 which was swiftly approved by the Central government. Since its establishment till date, the Supreme Court has had only eleven women judges out of more than 250 judges who have served. 

The Chief Justice of India NV Ramana had last week also lamented about the poor representation of women in the judiciary while addressing a gathering at an event hosted by the Bar Council of India to felicitate him. 

"After 75 years of independence, one would expect at least 50% representation for women at all levels, but I must admit, with great difficulty we have now achieved a mere 11% representation of women on the bench of the Supreme Court. Some States, because of reservation policy may reveal higher representation, but the reality remains that the legal profession still has to welcome women into its fold", the CJI had opined.

Enumerating upon the need to make the justice system less expensive and more accessible, the President remarked, 

"Everyone has expectations from the judiciary, yet, people hesitate in taking the help of courts. This situation needs to be changed in order to further increase the confidence of the people in the judiciary" 

The President also applauded Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath who was also present at the event, for strengthening the rule of law in the State. He urged all stakeholders to ensure that the common man gets justice on time. 

"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 would be possible only when all stakeholders associated with the judicial system bring necessary changes in their thinking and work culture and become sensitive", he added further. 

The President further reflected that women have proven to be better equipped to impart justice and have excelled at workplaces while shouldering 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." the President remarked. 

Chief Justice of India NV Ramana, Union Law Minister Kiren Rijiju, UP Governor Anadiben Patel, UP CM Yogi Adityanath were also present at the function.