Her Impact
The life of Indian women lawyers is greater than professional success; it is a fascinating one of survival, persistence, and continual breaking down of very deeply entrenched patriarchal hierarchies in a traditionally male legal tradition. Their journey along this difficult landscape is a series of fought-out battles against social biases, institutional discriminations, and a widespread incredulity regarding their capacity. But by sheer will, intelligence, and an unyielding commitment to fairness, women not only carved out a niche for themselves, but have become increasingly strong players, transforming the very fabric of the Indian legal system.
The early existence of women in the Indian legal profession was marked by insurmountable hurdles. The Legal Practitioner’s (Women) Act of 1923, as the pioneering legislative move to allow women lawyers to practice law, did not always mean acceptance or equality. Pioneers such as Cornelia Sorabji had to endure constant social suspicion and were effectively confined to marginalization away from mainstream legal practice. Old-fashioned, patriarchal law firms excluded women from jobs, assuming that they were less committed, less gifted, and less capable of dealing with the tough edge of the business. Even when they were employed, women were relegated to second-string status, denied opportunities to work on challenging cases, and subjected to patronage and covert discrimination. Courtrooms themselves were typically not very pleasant places, even without the most basic amenities for women and where their presence was more a rule than an exception.
Post-independence saw a steady but persistent rise in the number of women opting for a legal career. It was sparked by growing awareness of gender equality as well as the motivating examples of pioneers who broke the original barriers. They were later joined by others such as Justice Anna Chandy, who breaking the glass ceiling became the first lady judge of a High Court in India, followed by Justice Fathima Beevi, first lady judge in the Supreme Court. They then became role models for what a woman can do in legal practice. That they held such high court appointments demystified common perceptions and provided concrete evidence of women’s intellectual abilities and judicial skills.
But the way to professional success was still fraught with difficulties. The women lawyers continued to have to deal with very deeply entrenched prejudices that were in many varied forms. They were constantly challenged by senior male colleagues as well as clients also, who would sometimes doubt their seriousness and commitment towards the profession. Preparing for long hours and being on call twenty-four seven was a heavy burden, especially for women attempting to juggle work roles with social obligations of family and childcare. Shortage of adequate support mechanisms in practice, including mentorship and adaptable work practices, also contributed to causing these issues, with a tendency to establish a “leaky pipeline” where most competent women lawyers drifted away from practice or peaked their careers.
Even with such gargantuan issues, Indian women lawyers have fought through sheer persistence and willpower. They have continually shown intellectual mettle, earnest preparation effort, and effective advocacy prowess, winning over the support of their contemporaries as well as the bench finally. Certain among them have become experts in areas of law, acquiring knowledge thus gained that made them authoritative authorities. Their meticulous attention to detail, organizational ability, and diplomatic temperament have turned out to be extremely valuable qualities in complicated court cases.
Moreover, women lawyers have also ensured that support groups and forums have been established among them in the legal community. Women lawyers’ groups and forums established created spaces for complaining about gender equity issues in the legal community, mentoring, and networking. Bar associations gave space for the sensitization of institutions and the legal professionals on issues relating to women lawyers and campaigned for policy reform that will establish an inclusive and equitable legal system.
Growing recognition of the value of diversity and inclusion in all professions, including the legal profession, has been one factor in introducing women lawyers into the field. Law firms and in-house counsel are starting to realize the benefit of having firms of diverse composition that contribute different types of experiences and types of thinking. The change in mind-set, whether incremental in nature, has given women lawyers more professional options to build careers and to lead firms.
In addition, increased interest in aspects of law having direct bearing on women, such as gender justice, domestic violence, and sexual harassment, has opened doors to women lawyers so that they may utilize their focused experience and skills to facilitate proper legal reforms and deliver quality legal services to marginalized people. Their militant struggles here have not only brought about some of the most important legal reforms but also released the voice of the repressed women and opened the door to a gender-sensitive legal system.
Indian women lawyers’ history is one of unbroken will and defiance of social constraint. They have worked within a burly-handed judicial system under the shadow of prejudice and structural disenfranchisement, carved out their own space through determination, talent, and a stubborn dedication to the ideals of justice. Although few will dispute that there are challenges, the visibility and presence of women in every nook and cranny of the Indian legal profession – law firms and in-house counsel to courts and academy – is a deep and irreversible change. Their steady rise not only enriches the legal profession but also enlarges the quest for a more just and equitable society for everyone.
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