“But, I think, we are still far away from ensuring at least 50 per cent representation of women in our judiciary. The legal profession still remains male dominated, with severe under-representation of women,” he said. Besides the CJI, the four sitting women judges of the apex court — Justices Indira Banerjee, Hima Kohli, B V Nagarathna and Bela M Trivedi — also addressed the event.

Justice Ramana said the recognition of March 10 as International Day of Women Judges’ is an important step to create awareness and mobilise political will. “I am a strong proponent of affirmative action. To enrich the pool of talent, I strongly propose reservation for girls in legal education. The data proves such a provision has yielded encouraging results in appointing women judicial officers at the district level,” he said. The CJI said it is imperative for the justice delivery system to be in the forefront of progressive change.

“After I assumed the office of Chief Justice of India, we have so far filled nine vacancies in the Supreme Court out of which three vacancies were filled with women,” he said, while thanking the other members of the Supreme Court Collegium Justices U U Lalit, A M Khanwilkar, D Y Chandrachud and L N Rao. He said for the high court, the Collegium has recommended 192 candidates so far, out of which, 37, that is 19 per cent, were women.

“This is certainly an improvement over the percentage of incumbent women judges in high courts which stands at 11.8 per cent. Unfortunately, so far only 17 of the 37 women recommended to high courts were appointed. Others are still pending with the government,” he added. The CJI said he is wholly conscious of the systemic prejudices women have been facing, particularly in the Indian society and one of the main reasons for the continuing battle of women, in spite of acquiring sufficient skills and knowledge, is the lack of adequate representation at the helm of affairs.