The gender imbalance in the superior judiciary is being discussed in different sociopolitical, legal and human rights forums. Regrettably, the gender imbalance could not get so much attention in the past as it is gaining nowadays. As a result, the situation of women in district judiciary of Pakistan has reasonably improved in all the provinces, in particular, in my home province of Sindh.
Sad but true that so little attention has been devoted to the powerful role very likely played by stereotypes and biases in perpetuating the gender imbalances in the superior judiciary. Indeed, today’s Pakistani women ought not to stay out of the judicial profession.
The imperatives of natural equality demand that the gender imbalance in the superior judiciary be overcome as there are women of integrity and enviable legal and judicial acumen working as the district and sessions judges and also practicing lawyers. We must be swift in implementing such initiatives which promote women empowerment, women development and social justice in the country because in women lies the power to create, nurture and transform. And if really we want to transform our independent judiciary into a “judiciary of the twenty first century”, then we must overcome the gender imbalance in our judiciary for its better working and effective performance.
HASHIM ABRO
Islamabad
