Abstract

Women lawyers in India have made significant strides, yet their journey in the legal profession remains fraught with systemic, cultural, and institutional challenges. Despite near parity in law school enrollments, women remain underrepresented in senior legal positions, face persistent bias, and must navigate a profession shaped by patriarchal norms and demanding work cultures. Women lawyers in India encounter a multitude of challenges, both systemic and cultural, which hinder their professional growth and contribution to the legal field. Despite significant strides towards gender equality, the legal profession remains largely male-dominated, with pervasive gender biases and stereotypes. Women lawyers face discrimination in hiring, promotion, and remuneration, where they are often perceived as less competent than their male counterparts. The work environment in many legal firms and courts is not always conducive to their needs, with issues such as sexual harassment, lack of maternity benefits, and inadequate support for work-life balance being prevalent.
Moreover, the legal profession demands long hours and high levels of commitment, which can be particularly challenging for women who are expected to manage familial responsibilities simultaneously. The glass ceiling effect is also evident, as very few women reach senior positions or become partners in law firms. In the judiciary, women are significantly underrepresented, with only a small percentage of women serving as judges, especially in higher courts.

INTRODUCTION
Women lawyers face hurdles right from the start of their careers, dealing with biases in hiring, disparities in pay, and limited access to high-profile cases or leadership positions. The demanding nature of the profession, combined with societal expectations regarding women’s roles in the family, often forces them to make difficult choices between their career aspirations and personal responsibilities. Furthermore, the lack of gender-sensitive policies in many legal institutions exacerbates these difficulties, creating an environment where women have to work harder to prove their competence and commitment.
The legal profession, traditionally dominated by men, presents a unique set of challenges for women lawyers, particularly in a country like India, where societal norms and gender roles are deeply entrenched. Despite the increasing number of women entering the field of law, they continue to encounter significant barriers that hinder their professional growth and equitable participation. These challenges stem from systemic gender discrimination, workplace biases, cultural expectations, and structural inequities that are prevalent within the legal ecosystem.
Women lawyers also grapple with issues such as sexual harassment, lack of mentorship, and limited networking opportunities, all of which contribute to their underrepresentation in senior positions within the legal profession. The intersectionality of gender with other identities, such as caste, class, and religion, further complicates these challenges, particularly for women from marginalized communities.
HISTORY OF WOMEN LAWYERS IN INDIA
The first significant legal challenge came in 1916 when Cornelia Sorabji, a pioneering figure, became the first woman to graduate in law from Oxford University. However, despite her qualifications, she was denied the right to practice as a lawyer in India. It wasn’t until 1923, with the enactment of the Legal Practitioners (Women) Act, that women were officially permitted to practice law in India. This legislation was the result of persistent advocacy and pressure from women’s rights groups and supportive male allies.
The history of women lawyers In India is a narrative of struggle, perseverance, and gradual progress against a backdrop of deep-seated patriarchal norms and legal exclusion. The journey began in the early 20th century when the legal profession was an exclusive male domain, and women were not allowed to practice law.
Post-independence, the entry of women into the legal profession slowly increased, yet they continued to face numerous barriers. The first woman to be appointed as a judge of a High Court in India was Anna Chandy in 1959, who served in the Kerala High Court. It wasn’t until 1989 that Justice Fathima Beevi broke a significant barrier by becoming the first woman to be appointed as a judge of the Supreme Court of India. These milestones, though groundbreaking, were isolated successes in a field still overwhelmingly dominated by men.
Throughout the latter half of the 20th century and into the 21st century, more women began to enter the legal profession, aided by the spread of legal education and a growing awareness of women’s rights. Women lawyers began to establish themselves in various fields of law, including criminal, civil, corporate, and human rights law. However, despite their growing presence, women have continued to be underrepresented in higher judiciary positions and leadership roles within law firms.
Today, women lawyers in India continue to break barriers and challenge the status quo, playing a crucial role in shaping the country’s legal system and advancing gender equality. However, their journey reflects the ongoing need for systemic change to achieve true parity in the legal profession. In recent years, there has been a growing emphasis on gender sensitization within the legal system and the need for policies that support women lawyers, such as better maternity benefits, prevention of sexual harassment, and promotion of work-life balance. Despite these advancements, women still face substantial challenges, including gender bias, a lack of mentorship, and barriers to career progression, particularly in senior roles.