Indira Jaising
Indira Jaising was born on June 3, 1940, in Bombay, India. She grew up during a time when few women pursued careers as lawyers. But Indira was determined to break gender barriers. After graduating from University of Bombay in 1962 (now University of Mumbai), she started her law career working under famous lawyers like Ram Jethmalani. Indira was passionate about using the law to fight for justice. Her early experiences shaped her to become one of India’s most renowned human rights lawyers. Despite obstacles, Indira never gave up on her dream of succeeding in the male-dominated legal profession.
Professional History:
- She started her career as a junior to a leading lawyer like Ram Jethmalani in 1966.
- Became the first woman to be appointed Additional Solicitor General of India in 2009.
- Founded the Lawyers Collective in 1981 along with her husband to provide legal aid.
Landmark Cases:
- Vishaka v. State of Rajasthan (1997): Indira Jaising was instrumental in the legal battle that led to the landmark judgment in the Vishaka case. The Supreme Court of India, in response to a petition filed by women’s rights groups, laid down guidelines to prevent and address sexual harassment of women in the workplace. The guidelines, commonly known as the Vishaka Guidelines, set the foundation for addressing workplace sexual harassment in India.
- Navtej Singh Johar v. Union of India (2018): Indira Jaising played a key role in the legal fight for the decriminalization of homosexuality in India. The Supreme Court, in this case, struck down Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code, which criminalized consensual homosexual acts. The judgment was a historic step towards recognizing and upholding the rights of the LGBTQ+ community in India.
- National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) v. Union of India (2014): Indira Jaising was involved in this case, which resulted in a landmark judgment by the Supreme Court recognizing transgender individuals as the third gender. The court affirmed their rights and directed the government to take various affirmative actions to ensure the welfare and inclusion of transgender people in society.
Top 10 Female Lawyers in India
Women have made great strides in the legal profession in India, overcoming gender barriers to rise to the top of their field. This article spotlights the ten most accomplished and influential female lawyers currently practicing in the country. Their successes demonstrate that women can thrive in the courtroom and hold their own against male colleagues. The extraordinary achievements of these legal trailblazers serve as an inspiration for all aspiring young women considering a career in law. Though women still face challenges in the male-dominated Indian legal system, the accomplishments of these exceptional lawyers prove that glass ceilings can be shattered. Their stories deserve to be told to encourage future generations of women to aim high and fulfill their potential.
Table of Content
- Top 10 Women Lawyers in India
- Indira Jaising
- Pinky Anand
- Karuna Nundy
- Meneka Guruswamy
- Vrinda Grover
- Rebecca John
- Zia Mody
- Sudha Bharadwaj
- Flavia Agnes
- Meenakshi Lekhi