Bangladesh Appoints Five Female High Court Justices

On 8 October 2024, Bangladesh appointed five female justices to the High Court Division of the Supreme Court, in a significant step towards gender equality.

This historic move, part of a broader appointment of 23 new judges, signals a turning point in the country’s legal landscape, emphasizing the growing recognition of women’s contributions to the judiciary.

A Milestone for Women in Law

Chief Justice Syed Refaat Ahmed swore in the newly appointed female justices Mubina Asaf, Nasreen Akhtar, Ainunnahar Siddika, Tamanna Rahman, and Sathika Hossain. Their appointments represent a significant step forward in increasing women’s representation in Bangladesh’s historically male-dominated legal system.

Nazmun Ara Sultana, the first woman to serve in both the High Court and Appellate Divisions of Bangladesh, praised the decision. ‘This is certainly great news. We must continue to increase the number of women in the judiciary,’ Sultana remarked, adding that she would be happier if the number was ten instead of five.

Breaking the Glass Ceiling

Bangladesh’s judiciary has seen limited female representation, with only a few women holding senior judicial roles in the past. However, these appointments come at a time when the country is experiencing increasing demand for gender parity in leadership roles.

Barrister Rashna Imam, a prominent figure in Bangladesh’s legal landscape, discussed with the Commonwealth Chamber of Commerce the slow progress of women in the profession. While she acknowledged some improvements since 2016, such as more women entering the legal field, she pointed out that no women have yet filled significant positions including Attorney General or Chief Justice.

Imam cites persistent societal barriers that discourage female participation, and client perceptions that view women as less aggressive than men in legal disputes.

‘The first barrier is our society’s patriarchal mindset, and we won’t see much female participation … until we come out of it,’ she stated.

According to a BLAST report, in Bangladesh, 30 percent of legal academics are women, but only 10 percent of the legal professionals are female. In the last 40 years, only one woman has been elected to the Supreme Court Bar Council.

A Regional Trend

Bangladesh is part of a broader regional movement across South Asia, where gender equality is gaining attention in the legal sector. Countries like India and Pakistan have also taken steps to appoint more women to judicial positions, but challenges persist.

Female lawyers offer significant societal benefits, as they often champion marginalized groups, tackling issues like domestic violence, reproductive rights, and human trafficking. In male-dominated legal systems, these issues are frequently overlooked.

Women in law bring empathy and collaboration, crucial for family law and human rights cases. Their presence builds women’s trust in the legal system, encouraging more to seek help, especially in cases of sexual harassment and discrimination.

Boosting gender equality in Asia Pacific could increase the region’s annual GDP by $4.5 trillion by 2025, representing a 12 percent gain over the current growth trajectory, reports state. The appointment of five women to the High Court in Bangladesh signals the country’s growing commitment to advancing women’s roles in governance and law.

Looking Ahead

While the appointment of five women justices is a landmark achievement, experts urge continued efforts to ensure long-term progress.

By developing leadership opportunities for women in the judiciary, Bangladesh can foster a more balanced and equitable legal system that serves all of its citizens.

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