The Supreme Court of India has advocated for a significant policy change, urging that 30% of seats in the governing councils of district bar associations across Karnataka be reserved for women lawyers. This stance is part of a broader effort to enhance female representation within the legal community, specifically within the governance structures of bar associations.
This call for change builds upon a January 24 directive, where the Court specified that the position of Treasurer in the Advocates Association Bengaluru (AAB) should be reserved for women. Further, the Court had directed that the AAB elections incorporate a 30% reservation for women in its governing council, aligning with principles of gender equity.
Justices Surya Kant and N Kotiswar Singh highlighted in today’s ruling that the AAB’s recent elections complied with these guidelines. They proposed that similar measures should be adopted universally across all bar bodies in the state. “We direct that our January order will apply mutatis mutandis to all district court bar associations. Thus, let the post of treasurer be reserved for women, and 30% of seats in the governing body be for women candidates,” the justices ordered, emphasizing the need for consistent implementation.
Parallel to the Supreme Court’s advocacy, the Karnataka High Court also supported enhancing women’s representation. Justice M Nagaprasanna passed an order in response to demands for a 33% reservation for women lawyers in the Tumakuru District Bar Association. This decision reflects a commitment to change, mandating that a Joint Secretary post and two executive council posts be reserved for women in the upcoming elections.
Justice Nagaprasanna articulated the broader implications of these changes, stressing the importance of breaking the traditional male dominance in bar associations, often referred to as “old men’s clubs.” He remarked, “It is not only morally compelling but legally expedient for all Bar Associations to ensure equal rights for women regarding their representation, which will help dismantle associations that have been bastions of males.”
These judicial directives mark a pivotal step towards rectifying gender disparities in the legal profession, aiming to ensure that women lawyers receive fair and equitable opportunities to influence and lead within their professional communities.
