Women representation continues to be low in the district bar association

Ludhiana: The representation to women candidates continues to be minuscule in Ludhiana district court bar association with only two women making it to the team. In the bar elections held on Friday, Gagandeep Kaur and Sushmita were elected as the executive members by securing 1,375 and 1,312 votes respectively.
No woman candidate had contested for the key posts of president, vice president, secretary, joint secretary or a finance secretary. Only four women candidates were in the fray for six posts of executive members.

Asked about a poor representation of women representatives in the bar, Sushmita said most of the women members were not forthcoming as they did not expect much support from other members in the bar. This may well be the reason that the DBA did not have a woman President, Vice President, Secretary, Joint Secretary or a Finance Secretary in last many years.

“We have to create awareness among the members that women can also hold such posts and function successfully. It is a slow process but it will happen,” said Sushmita.

The additional Returning Officer (ARO) for the elections, Lalita Jain, who has been at the post of Senior Vice President earlier said there was a need to attract more women members to contest for the elections. “We have been fighting for getting the post of Joint secretary reserved for women so that more women candidates come forward to contest in the bar elections.

Sushmita and Gagandeep Kaur, however want to make best use of their stint and want to work for the welfare of young lawyers in the bar. “It’s an honour to win by such a good margin. Both of us have received the highest number of votes amongst the elected executive members which is an honour,” said Sushmita.

Asked about her priorities Sushmita said young lawyers have been facing many problems and need more support from senior members. “The young lawyers are not getting even Rs.5000 as monthly stipend for the initial period of three years after they join practice. Female advocates also face a lot of problems as there is lack of basic facilities including wash rooms. Also library needs to be upgraded. My priority would be to take up these issues on priority,” said Sushmita, who is into second year of practice at the District Courts.

Echoing her sentiments Gagandeep Kaur too added that she would put in all efforts to bring a change.