The representation of women in India's High Courts remains a pressing issue, showcasing a notable gender disparity. According to data from 25 High Courts, eight of them have only one woman judge each, and only one High Court boasts a woman Chief Justice. This highlights a significant gap, as women constitute a mere fraction of the total number of judges.
Presently, women make up only about 14% of judges in the higher judiciary. This statistic translates to 109 women judges out of a total working strength of 755 judges across the High Courts. The disparity emphasizes the need for increased representation.
While there has been a slight improvement in the representation of women judges, the progress has been slow. The percentage of women judges in High Courts rose from 11% in 2011 to 14% in 2023, indicating a gradual but insufficient change.
Since 2018, of the 608 lawyers elevated to judgeships in various High Courts, only 108, or 17%, were women. This statistic underscores the continuing challenges faced by women in the legal profession.
Several High Courts suffer from minimal female representation. Notably, the Chhattisgarh, Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Manipur, Orissa, Patna, and Sikkim High Courts each have only one woman judge. Alarmingly, the Uttarakhand High Court has no women judges at all.
Conversely, some High Courts have a slightly better representation of women. The Madras High Court leads with 13 women judges, while the Bombay High Court has 11. Despite these numbers being higher than others, they still represent a minority within their respective benches.
Several factors contribute to the low representation of women in the judiciary. These include a limited number of women in the legal profession and underrepresentation in the Collegium, the body responsible for recommending judicial appointments.
The Collegium, which consists of the Chief Justice and senior judges from the respective High Court or the Supreme Court, plays a vital role in judicial appointments. The low number of women in this body may restrict the number of women recommended for judgeships, further impeding progress.
The government has acknowledged the gender disparity but insists there are no provisions for reservation based on caste or class in the judiciary. They emphasize that the data provided is based on the recommendations from the Supreme Court Collegium.
Many current and former Chief Justices of India have voiced concerns regarding the low representation of women in the judiciary. Some have advocated for reservations specifically for women judges, indicating a growing recognition of the issue.
Currently, the Supreme Court has two women judges, but this number will decrease to one following an upcoming retirement. The Chief Justice has recognized the need for more women judges, citing a limited pool of qualified women in the appropriate age group.
Q1. What is the current representation of women judges in India's High Courts?
Answer: Women currently comprise about 14% of judges in India's High Courts, totaling 109 out of 755 judges. This indicates a significant gender disparity in the judiciary.
Q2. Have there been improvements in women's representation in the judiciary?
Answer: Yes, there has been a slight increase in women's representation, rising from 11% in 2011 to 14% in 2023, but the progress remains slow.
Q3. Why is the number of women judges in the Collegium important?
Answer: The Collegium's composition affects judicial appointments. A lack of women in the Collegium limits the recommendations for women judges, perpetuating underrepresentation.
Q4. What is the government's position on gender disparity in the judiciary?
Answer: The government acknowledges the disparity but states there is no reservation provision in judiciary appointments, emphasizing recommendations from the Collegium.
Q5. How many women judges are currently in the Supreme Court?
Answer: The Supreme Court currently has two women judges, but this number will soon decrease to one due to an impending retirement.
Question 1: What percentage of judges in India's High Courts are women?
A) 10%
B) 14%
C) 20%
D) 25%
Correct Answer: B
Question 2: Which High Court has the highest number of women judges?
A) Uttarakhand High Court
B) Madras High Court
C) Bombay High Court
D) Chhattisgarh High Court
Correct Answer: B
Question 3: How many women judges were elevated since 2018?
A) 100
B) 108
C) 150
D) 200
Correct Answer: B
Question 4: What is the role of the Collegium in judicial appointments?
A) Appoint judges directly
B) Recommend judges for appointment
C) Evaluate judicial performance
D) Conduct judicial training
Correct Answer: B
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