Conference of women lawyers held in Shivamogga

Justice Uma highlights the low number of women practicing law despite high graduation rates, emphasizing the need for change.

M.G. Uma, Judge Karnataka High Court, said a good number of women were graduating from law schools, however, the number of women practicing law in courts is still low.

Speaking at the inauguration of a conference of Karnataka Federation of Women Lawyers in Shivamogga on Saturday, Ms. Uma said during the recent recruitment of civil judges, more women were appointed than men.

Similarly, the number of women graduating from law colleges has been high compared to men. “Women complete law courses with high scores. However, the number of women practicing law in courts is still low. We need to focus on this,” she said.

As a judge, Ms. Uma said, she would rely on facts and laws that advocates present during hearings. “We judges do not consider the gender of the advocates arguing before us. We only go by the facts of the case they present and the laws they mention. The advocates should be well-prepared while presenting facts before a judge,” she said.

Justice B.M. Shyam Prasad, who is also a judge in Karnataka High Court, said if a man wanted to succeed in the law profession, he would require the support of his family. However, if a woman wished to succeed in this profession, she would require the support of the entire society. “Women who get into this profession face the tough task of handling both the profession and family. Whoever works hard will definitely succeed,” he said.

Sheela Aneesh, founder president of All India Federation of Women Lawers, Hemalatha Mahishi, president of All India Federation of Women Lawyers, G.R. Raghavendraswamy, president of Shivamogga Advocates Association, Saroja Changolli, president of Shivamogga District Women Lawyers’ Conference Committee, and others were present.

Women advocates from many districts attended the one-day conference.