Today (21 Feb 2024), Justice Subramonium Prasad of the Delhi High Court withdrew from hearing a petition requesting the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) to hold a general body meeting and deliberate on amending its regulations to allocate a minimum of two positions in the SCBA Executive Committee for female lawyers.
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NEW DELHI: A plea has been filed in the Delhi High Court, seeking to convene a meeting of the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) to discuss the reservation of positions for women lawyers in its Executive Committee. The plea, initiated by advocate Yogamaya MG, underscores the critical need for ensuring adequate representation of women in decision-making roles within the legal community.
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Advocate Yogamaya MG‘s action was precipitated by a letter addressed to the Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud and the President of the SCBA, advocating for the inclusion of at least two positions for female executive members in the SCBA’s current Executive Committee. This letter, which also called for amendments to the SCBA Rules and regulations to institutionalize this change, unfortunately, did not receive any acknowledgment or response, prompting the move to seek judicial intervention.
The plea eloquently argues for the necessity of female representation in the legal sector’s leadership, particularly in the context of addressing and preventing sexual harassment. It posits that women lawyers, through their unique insights and experiences, can significantly contribute to the development and implementation of effective policies and mechanisms aimed at combating sexual harassment within the legal community.
“Given the lack of a reply, seeking the intervention of this Hon’ble Court becomes imperative to address the issue and advocate for the required modifications. The Petitioner seeks the Hon’ble Court’s kind intervention for a directing the Respondent to convene a General body Meeting to transact the agenda as requisitioned vide the Representation/Letter dated 14th August 2023 signed by 270 members addressed to the President of the SCBA,”
the plea articulates, highlighting the urgency and collective support behind this initiative.
The document further contends that the absence of sufficient representation of women in the SCBA may perpetuate an environment where sexual harassment issues are not adequately addressed. It emphasizes that women lawyers are essential for formulating comprehensive strategies that resonate with the diverse experiences of all community members, thereby fostering a more inclusive and supportive professional atmosphere.
“Moreover, the presence of women in decision-making bodies, such as the Supreme Court Bar Association, is fundamental to creating a workplace culture that actively promotes and prioritizes the prevention of sexual harassment. Adequate representation ensures that concerns specific to women in the legal profession are given due attention, fostering an atmosphere where all members feel secure and supported in their professional pursuits,”
the plea asserts, underlining the broader implications of this initiative for workplace culture and gender equality within the legal profession.
Advocate Sriram Parakkat represented the petitioner in this case, bringing to the fore a critical issue that has long-term implications for the legal community’s approach to gender equality and the prevention of sexual harassment. This plea not only seeks to address the immediate concern of gender representation but also aims to catalyze a shift towards a more inclusive and equitable legal profession.
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