'Appointing Women Judges At Senior Posts Can Break Gender Stereotypes' : SC Judge Nagarathna

"Women visibility as judicial officers can pave the way for greater representation of women in other decision-making positions of the government," Justice Nagarathna said.

Supreme Court. (File Photo)

New Delhi: The Supreme Court of India Judge B V Nagarathna on Sunday said that the appointment of female judges at the senior level will aid in shifting gender stereotypes and will also facilitate the change in attitudes and perceptions of appropriate roles of men and women.

"Women visibility as judicial officers can pave the way for greater representation of women in other decision-making positions such as legislative and executive branches of the government," Justice Nagarathna, who is to become the first women Chief Justice of India in 2027, was quoted by PTI in its report.

While speaking at a function organised by the Lady Advocates of the Supreme Court for felicitation of nine newly appointed judges including three female judges of the apex court, Justice Nagarathna appreciated the Chief Justice of India NV Ramana statement regarding providing a 50% representation of women in the judiciary and said that this will highlight the way as to how females in other branches can break the glass ceiling whether in the legislature or in the executive.

"I may not speak in detail but I can only say that advancing women participation in the judiciary promotes the role of gender equality in broader ways. Female judicial appointments particularly at senior levels can shift gender stereotypes, thereby changing attitude and perceptions of appropriate roles of men and women," she said.

Advising young female advocates, she said that they should involve themselves in all branches of law and continuously strive to do better in their respective fields. "I think, the time has come to break the glass ceiling and for women to strive ahead. I have come to believe that each one of us has a personal calling that is unique as our fingerprint and the best way to succeed is to discover what is our passion and to find the way to offer it to others in the form of service," she said.

(With inputs from PTI)