In a significant move, the Supreme Court on Thursday directed the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) to reserve at least 1/3rd of its executive committee posts for women.
A bench led by Justice Surya Kant and Justice KV Viswanathan issued the directive.
The bench mandates the reservation of key positions for women in the SCBA’s upcoming 2024-25 elections. Women will exclusively hold the position of treasurer.
Furthermore, the bench outlined that one position of the office-bearers will be rotated among women on a rotational basis.
Importantly, these directions do not preclude women from contesting other posts within the SCBA.
Directive On Gender Representation In Leadership Positions:
The directive mandates:
– One office-bearer position exclusively for women candidates.
– Two senior executive member positions reserved for women.
– Three executive member positions allocated exclusively for women.
The initiative is in active response to a commitment previously made by the SCBA during a hearing in the Delhi High Court earlier this year.
In response to a plea filed by advocate Yogamaya MG, the SCBA assured the court that it would convene a General Body Meeting (GBM) within two months to address the issue of gender representation within the association.
The petitioner’s plea highlighted the pressing need for gender parity within the SCBA’s leadership.
The plea emphasized that diverse representation is crucial for fostering a workplace culture that prioritizes gender equality and addresses challenges faced by women lawyers.
Meanwhile, the SCBA will take the necessary steps to implement these directives. This marks a significant stride towards fostering inclusivity and gender balance within the legal profession.
Elections On 16 May
As per Live Law, the court ordered that the elections for the 2024-25 term will take place on 16 May 2024. Vote counting will commence on 18 May 2024, with the results expected to be declared on 19 May 2024.
Meanwhile, the current committee’s term expires on 18 May 2024.
Also Read: Supreme Court To Continue Hearing Of West Bengal Cases On May 8
