Less Representation Of Women In Higher Judiciary Is A Matter Of Grave Concern- Additional Secretary At Law Ministry Dr. Anju Rana

Dr. Anju Rathi Rana, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Law & Justice, Government of India has said that the negligible representation of women in higher judiciary is a matter of grave concern.  

She was speaking at an event organised to celebrate 75 years of Women's Empowerment by the Adhivakta Parishad, Delhi (Patiala House Unit).

She also spoke about the discrimination and hurdles she faced after opting to study law. She said that many restrictions and conditions were put on her by her family when she choose to do law. She said that her family tried to stop her from entering the field of litigation. She said that she lost two years of her life since her family was reluctant to let her practice law. She said she had to face such difficulties despite belonging to an educated family. 

“Representation of women in Higher Judiciary is almost negligible. As per data, representation of women in the Supreme Court is hardly 9.1% whereas in High Courts it's 11.5% only. So this less representation of women in higher judiciary is a matter of grave grave concern. Since the day, the Supreme Court was formed, there had been only 11 women judges appointed as judges of the Supreme Court and not even a single women judge has become the Chief Justice of India. But we might see one in the near future", she said.

"In the High Courts, out of 680 judges, only 83 judges are women judges. This data in itself reveals that women have no power, no rights. It is a result of 1000s of years of patriarchy which will take time to end, but it will definitely end”, she said.

Further, She said that Women's Empowerment has been one of the main agendas of Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government where the focus has shifted from 'Women's Development' to 'Women-Led Development'. Moreover, women across the Country have benefitted a lot from the schemes such as Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana and Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana.

Dr. Anju Rathi Rana was speaking at an event held in the presence of Dharmesh Sharma, Principal District & Sessions Judge, New Delhi and was chaired by Vineeta Goyal, District Judge, Commercial Court, New Delhi.