Women’s participation in Bangladesh’s judiciary is rising, with an increasing presence in the Supreme Court, High Court, lower courts, and legal academia.
Retired Appellate Division Justice Krishna Debnath highlighted this progress, noting that 625 out of 2,179 lower court judges are now women, reports BSS.
“When we first entered the judiciary, there were only three women judges. Now, nearly one-third of lower court judges are women,” she said, calling their contribution significant as they balance judicial duties with family responsibilities.
Women continue to excel in judicial service exams, with Halimatus Sadia of Barisal University topping the 2017-18 session. Currently, 10 female judges serve in the High Court, including Justices Farah Mahbub and Fatema Najib. Retired Justice Zinat Ara chairs the Law Commission, while female law scholars contribute to key reform commissions.
The Bangladesh Women Judges Association recently formed a new committee, electing Senior District Judge Syeda Hosne Ara Begum as president and Additional Metropolitan Sessions Judge of Dhaka Farzana Yasmin as secretary general.
At the association’s 34th annual conference on February 28, retired Justices Nazmun Ara Sultana and Krishna Debnath, along with High Court Justice Farah Mahbub, attended as special guests.
Women are also making strides as Deputy and Assistant Attorney Generals in the High Court. Advocate Barrister Nishat Mahmud described the growing number of women in the judiciary as a promising step toward women's empowerment in Bangladesh.
Bd-pratidin English/FNC
