“… the purpose of this Conference is to open a dialogue on gender in the judiciary- to discuss and deliberate the role of the woman judge where does she stand- what is her place –what is the recognition that we want to give her and to ultimately reach a consensus on how to integrate her gender within the existing structure-within the existing values and traditions….”
The above opening words of Justice Ayesha Malik fairly sum up the objective of the first Punjab Women Judges’ Conference, organized by Punjab Judicial Academy, at Faletti’s Hotel Lahore on 20th February, 2016. The Conference was inaugurated by Honorable Mr. Justice Ijazul Ahsan Chief Justice Lahore High Court. Honorable Chief Justice assured full support of the High Court to the women judges and shared his vision to resolve all the issues of the women judges expeditiously and effectively. Earlier, Honorable Mr. Justice ® Ch. Shahid Saeed, Director General, Punjab Judicial Academy welcomed the participants to the Conference.
The opening session, “Gender and the Workplace” was conducted by Ms. Khawar Mumtaz, Chairperson National Commission on the Status of Women, by throwing light on various laws for protection of women such as Harassment at Workplace Act. Ms. Irum Bukhari and Ms. Fauzia Viqar, former Secretary Women Development Department and Chairperson Punjab Commission on the Status of Women, respectively, also spoke in the session and enlightened the participants with various aspects of being empowered women and working in a demanding and tough environment.
The first speaker in the second session, “Gender and the Judiciary” was Ms. Uzma Chughtai, the first lady appointed as district and sessions judge in Punjab and presently Senior Special Judge Anti-corruption, Lahore. Honorable Justice ® Ms. Nasira Javed Iqbal, being one of the first three lady judges who were appointed in 1994 at Lahore High Court, candidly shared her experiences. Honorable Justice Erum Sajjad Gull was the next speaker. Then Honorable Justice Ayesha addressed the participants and motivated the women judges to bring a change in the attitudes by raising a unanimous voice. Honorable Justice Mansoor Ali Shah Senior Puisne Judge Lahore High Court highlighted the problems being faced by women judges and reassured the support of the institution in resolving them. His encouraging remarks and motivational address was lauded by the participants.
After lunch, the participants of the Conference discussed the issues in breakout sessions and formulated their suggestions. Ms. Lubna Ali District and Sessions Judge/Presiding Officer Punjab Labour Court Lahore at Ferozewala, Ms. Mahrukh Aziz Additional District and Sessions Judge Hafizabad, Ms. Misbah Khan Additional District and Sessions Judge Faisalabad, Ms. Raheela Omer Additional District and Sessions Judge Kasur and Ms. Bushra Zaman, District and Sessions Judge/ Special Judge Anti-terrorism Court, Gujranwala, spoke on behalf of the groups. They pointed the main challenges being faced by their sister colleagues such as hardships in transfers and postings, accommodation problems, gender sensitizing training and participation of women judges in administrative matters.
Later in the day, the Chief Guest, Honorable Justice Mian Saqib Nisar, Senior Puisne Judge Supreme Court of Pakistan, addressed the participants and vowed that all the issues relating to women judges, and spoken out, would be resolved and pointed out that those were petty compared to the real challenges of achieving high standard of competence and maintaining integrity. He also emphasized the women judges to develop a constructive and positive approach and to dispense justice according to established norms of rule of law.
In the end, Honorable Justice Ayesha Malik thanked all the honorable speakers and the guests, and acknowledged the support of both the institutions. She also thanked the Punjab Judicial Academy and the participants who had gathered from different and distant places. Later, souvenirs were distributed by the Honorable Chief Guest to the guest speakers and members of the organizing committee.
| See Pictures |