023 marked the end of a hundred years of women in law. January 2024 marked two years since the first woman judge took oath as an additional judge in the Supreme Court of Pakistan.

The 100 years that have passed since women were first allowed to practice as lawyers have dotted along the journey many firsts for women in law.

It all began with the enactment of the Legal Practitioners (Women) Act of 1923, also known as the Women’s Legal Status Act. The act marked an important milestone in the struggle for gender equality and women’s rights in the legal profession in India. Before the enactment of this legislation, women in India faced significant barriers when it came to pursuing a career in law. The legal profession was male-dominated and women were excluded from practising law. The British legal system, which governed India during this period, had regulations that restricted women’s entry into the legal profession.

The Act of 1923 was introduced to address this discrimination and to grant women the right to practice law in British India. It allowed women to be admitted to the bar and practice law as legal practitioners.

The act was passed as a result of the efforts and advocacy of various women’s rights activists including Cornelia Sorabji, Regina Guha and Sudhansu Bala Hazra who pushed for greater gender equality in the legal profession. Although Cornelia Sorabji’s enrollment as a vakil by the Allahabad High Court is often seen as a pivotal moment, it’s important to acknowledge that Regina Guha and Sudhansu Bala Hazra also played equally groundbreaking roles in opening up opportunities for women in the legal profession in the India and Pakistan.

A hundred years later, it is remarkable to contemplate the challenges these women must have faced as they ventured into a male-dominated field, striving to have their voices heard and respected. Their stories of unwavering determination and persistence serve as a powerful reminder that breaking through societal barriers, like the figurative glass ceiling, is achievable through sheer determination and tenacity.

The progress of women in the legal profession in Pakistan has been marked by several notable achievements and developments. The presence of women in the legal profession is increasingly recognised as bringing more courteousness to the field, especially in family law cases. Over the years, women have increasingly become prominent in various branches of the legal field in Pakistan, overcoming the profession’s traditionally male-dominated nature.

The journey of female lawyers in Pakistan began in earnest in the 1950s. Begum Salima Nasiruddin, who enrolled as an advocate of the High Court in 1958 and later as a senior advocate of the Supreme Court of Pakistan in 1966, was a trailblazer.

Khalida Rashid Khan became the first female judge in Pakistan in 1974, Majida Rizvi was the first woman appointed as a judge of the High Court in 1994. Tahira Safdar became the first woman chief justice in Pakistan, when she was appointed as chief justice of the Balochistan High Court in 2018.

The legal profession in Pakistan has seen the inclusion of women from various backgrounds. Suman Kumari became the first Hindu woman to become a civil judge in Pakistan in 2019, Jalila Haider was the first woman lawyer from the Hazara community of Balochistan in 2010 and Shazia Mehrab the first woman lawyer in Gwadar in 2019.

Women like Asma Jahangir and Hina Jillani have been pivotal in advocating for legal reforms and women’s rights in Pakistan. Their efforts have led to significant changes in the legal landscape and have paved the way for future generations of female legal professionals.

The legal community in Pakistan has begun to formally recognise the contributions of women. The first Women in Law Awards celebrated the achievements of women in the legal field, acknowledging their roles in fostering diversity and inclusion in the justice sector. More women are now graduating with law degrees in Pakistan, reflecting a growing interest in the legal profession among women. This increasing educational attainment is a positive sign for the future of gender diversity in the legal field in Pakistan.

However, significant challenges remain. Women in the legal profession still face considerable impediments, including societal constraints and gender discrimination. This discrimination is evident in both the bar and the bench, with a notably low representation of women, especially in superior courts. Until 2022, Pakistan had never had a woman judge in Supreme Court. Women’s representation among High Court judges is also low with only one woman judge in the Islamabad High Court.

The need for continued reform for female inclusion in law in Pakistan, as in many other countries, stems from a variety of systemic and societal factors. The underrepresentation of women in senior judicial roles, such as in the Supreme Court and High Courts, highlights the need for reform in the selection and promotion processes to ensure equality and fairness.

Sexual harassment and discrimination contimue to hinder women lawyers and judges and undermine their career progress.

Limited networking and mentorship hinder women’s development and demanding work hours create challenges, especially for those with domestic responsibilities, limiting their career advancement.

There is a lack of supportive policies and institutional mechanisms to address the unique challenges faced by women in the legal profession. This includes inadequate maternity leave, lack of childcare facilities and absence of policies to combat harassment and discrimination.

Over the next century, advancing gender equality in Pakistan’s legal profession requires a comprehensive approach. Reformed legal education, emphasising gender studies and sensitivity and institutional reforms for transparent appointments and gender balance are vital. Workplace policies addressing gender-specific challenges, mentorship for women and gender-sensitive legal practice training are crucial.

Public awareness campaigns challenging stereotypes and advocating for legislative measures ensuring equal opportunities are essential.

International collaboration can provide insights and encouraging women to explore diverse legal careers is key. Regular gender audits and research will track progress. These coordinated efforts could aim to create a more inclusive legal landscape, empowering women in law even further.

The writer is an advocate of the high court, a founding partner at Lex Mercatoria and a visiting teacher at Bahria University’s Law Department. She can be reached at minahil.ali12@yahoo.com