Discuss the desirability of greater representation to women in the higher judiciary to ensure diversity, equity and inclusiveness.

Inadequate women representation across judicial offices (30%-subordinate judiciary, 11.5% and 12% in High Court and Supreme Court respectively) has prompted CJI to back 50% women reservation in judicial offices at all levels to ensure diversity, equity and inclusiveness. 

Need for desirability of women representation: 

• Address prevailing gender imbalance.
• Gender sensitisation of judicial orders - addressing rights of women
• Improve gender specific infrastructure within Court premises – separate toilets for women.       
• Ensure women empowerment in the judicial arena.    
• Encourage women to pursue law as a career choice.     
• Improve ratio of women law graduates and women judges. 

Concerns

• Appointments for higher judiciary are not uniform across India.    
• Reservation must meet the goal of social justice.      

Suggestions

• Women Reservation Bill needs to be reintroduced providing reservation to women across judicial offices.
• Provide economic assistance to women in pursuing law degree
• Promoting women advocates in state bar councils.
• Provide reservation for women in All India Judicial Service.

Greater representation of women across judicial hierarchies will help to achieve constitutional goals of social and economic justice along with SDG-5 and 10 - gender equality and reduced inequalities.