Read Time: 08 minutes

Civil Judge, Junior Division and Judicial Magistrate Class I, Somya Singh while speaking with LawBeat on the occasion of International Women's day said that "I have seen that there are two Indias, one where women are achieving new heights every day and leaving a mark on the world and the other, where women are still struggling to get the basic education."

In this interview, Somya Singh speaks about her experiences as a Judge and the need for gender neutrality in the judicial system.

Q. Please tell us something about yourself.

I am posted as a Civil Judge Junior Division and Judicial Magistrate first class at Morena, Madhya Pradesh from 2019. I graduated in law in the year 2017.

Q. As we are speaking on the occasion of women's day, is there a “Glass Ceiling” that exists in the society for women and other marginalized genders? Would you say you have a lived experience of breaking this?

I won't deny that the glass ceiling does exist as that might be the case with many women. thankfully, I had never had to experience it personally. Things are gradually changing now. People are open to seeing women holding the higher posts, in administration, judiciary and legislature.

Q: CJI NV Ramana has been seen pressing upon the issue of gender neutrality in the judicial system, being a Judge what changes do you think are needed so that we can see an impact in those lines?

As I have said the times are changing. Earlier there was very little representation of women in the judiciary which is not the case now. There are 4 women in the Hon'ble supreme court holding the post at present which is the highest in the history of independent India. There is a long way to go to make the representation equal but it's a happy start.

Q: Recently we have seen several senior judges speaking about their experiences during the initial days in the profession, have you faced any similar experiences in your career?

Society being dynamic has changed a lot. The circumstances have changed to be better. With the increasing representation of women in every field, society is becoming more acceptable in seeing women working. Comparing the hurdles that I am facing in 2022 with that of the 1980s or 1990s wouldn't be fair on my part as I have been privileged to be born in the current times when the mindset of the society has grown and is still in the process of growing.  

Q: Along with efforts on the administrative side of our system to make our Judicial system gender-neutral, how important is it for our society to accept a woman in the system? (As we still see judges being addressed as Sir)

Society is not gender-neutral but the good news is that we are continuously moving towards making it the same. By being acceptable towards women working in the institution, we will send out a message to the society and to the people who are seeking justice, that judiciary is accessible to every person, irrespective of gender. 

Q: We have seen you contributing to society other than serving as a judge by taking legal aid and awareness programs in the villages and other areas, how do you think the women are suffering and how many of them reach the court?

Having the opportunity to meet and interact with a lot of women during the legal aid and awareness programs, I have seen that there are two Indias. One where women are achieving new heights every day and leaving a mark on the world and the other, where women are still struggling to get the basic education. To the women in the rural areas, the idea of equality, freedom of speech, and expression are alien. In such areas, women are reluctant to voice up against the violence and indiscrimination that they are facing. The literacy rate is low. Having said that, I have also seen that there are a lot of men who are being the victim of false accusations.