Senior Supreme Court judge Justice Mansoor Ali Shah, speaking at a recent event, emphasized the urgent need for increased female participation in Pakistan's judiciary.
Justice Shah highlighted the disparity between the country's population demographics and the representation of women within the judicial system.
"Article 34 of our Constitution mandates full participation of women in all spheres of life," Justice Shah remarked, underscoring that despite women making up 50% of Pakistan's population, only 16% serve in the judiciary.
He stressed that this imbalance calls for immediate reforms in the appointment and promotion processes of women within the judicial system. The judge also called for encouraging women coming to the judiciary on priority.
Justice Shah noted that the judiciary faces a significant shortage of judges when compared to global standards. He advocated for merit-based promotions and the establishment of an association of judges to address various challenges within the judiciary. Such an association, according to him, would be a democratic step towards resolving issues collectively.
"A Judicial Service Act is necessary to formalize these reforms and ensure consistent policies," Justice Shah stated. He called for the inclusion of women in the policymaking processes of the judiciary, arguing that it would be unfair for policies to be made exclusively by men.
Addressing the core issue of why there is such a shortage of women in the judiciary, Justice Shah urged for a concerted effort to encourage and prioritize women's entry into the judicial profession. "We must improve our laws regarding the appointment of women and actively support their career growth in the judiciary," he said.
He stressed that today's question is why there is such a shortage of women in the judiciary.
Justice Shah also expressed his view that district judges should not merely be referred to as judicial officers, indicating a need for greater respect and recognition for judges at all levels of the judiciary.
In conclusion, Justice Mansoor Ali Shah's address served as a clarion call for structural changes to promote gender equality in Pakistan's judicial system. His proposals aim to create a more inclusive and representative judiciary that aligns with the principles of democracy and meritocracy.
