New Delhi: Work-life imbalance, gender bias and unequal access to Bar leadership roles continue to impede the careers of women advocates in the country’s courts, a new Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) survey has found.
A significant finding shows that 84.1 percent of respondents identified as first-generation lawyers with no immediate family in the legal profession, underscoring the added struggle of entering the field without established networks or support.
These are part of the preliminary findings of the SCBA’s recent comprehensive survey, ‘Documenting Voices of Women Advocates of Delhi NCR,’ highlighting the work conditions, persistent gender barriers, and evolving aspirations of women lawyers practicing in the Delhi-National Capital Region (NCR).
The report was unveiled during a special event, ‘We – Women Empowerment in Law: A Panel Discussion on Strength, Struggle and Success,’ attended by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, the lone woman judge at the SC Justice B.V.Nagarathna, and Delhi High Court’s Justice Pratibha Singh.
While the study focuses on the Delhi-NCR, the SCBA has also initiated an all-India survey to document experiences of women lawyers across the country.
The SCBA surveyed 301 women practicing the profession across the Supreme Court, High Court, District Courts, Tribunals, and quasi-judicial forums with a focus on experiences, challenges, gender bias, leadership opportunities, the impact of marriage and motherhood, career transition possibilities, and recommendations for the future.
Impact of marriage, motherhood
Marriage and family responsibilities were cited as key turning points that affected careers—38.2 percent faced hardships in continuing work after marriage, 33.5 percent experienced difficulties when deciding to have a child, 31.3 percent found it difficult to get their matters deferred due to childcare responsibilities.
However, 52.4 percent acknowledged receiving support when they sought accommodation for childcare or family care needs.
Professional challenges, work environment
Work-life balance emerged as the single greatest challenge for women in the profession. About 34.2 percent of respondents cited it as their primary obstacle, reflecting the demanding nature of litigation and the absence of structural support for women.
Other concerns included job opportunities (16.4 percent), lack of pay parity (14 percent), inadequate mentorship (13.7 percent), unrealistic expectations (9.6 percent), sexual harassment at workplace (6.2 percent)
When asked about their overall experience as women advocates, 38.5 percent described it as ‘sometimes encouraging, sometimes discouraging.’ A combined 54.1 percent still found their experience encouraging to varying degrees, with 11.3 percent finding it ‘very encouraging,’ 17.6 percent ‘encouraging,’ and 25.2 percent saying it became ‘more encouraging with each passing day’”
Gender bias, leadership prospects
The survey indicated that gender-based discrimination continues to shape career opportunities for women in the legal profession. Almost 58 percent of respondents said opportunities for leadership roles in the Bar are not equal.
On gender bias specifically 33.1 percent said they have definitely experienced gender bias in their career. 29.1 percent reported facing it occasionally, 5.3 percent faced it frequently.
Among first-generation women advocates, the experience of bias was even more stark—39.6 percent reported facing it, compared to 35.1 percent among others.
Despite barriers, a strong majority (58.9 percent) expressed willingness to take up leadership roles in Bar Councils and Bar Associations, while 30.4 percent said they were still exploring that option.
Support systems, future pathways
Nearly all respondents (95.4 percent) emphasised the importance of stronger institutional policies in enabling women’s professional growth—such as maternity benefits, crèche facilities, workplace safety protocols, flexible schedules, insurance, and medical support.
Encouragingly, the survey also reflected confidence in the profession’s future. Around 64.1 percent of women advocates said they would recommend a legal career to their daughters or close female relatives or friends. When asked about preferred streams, judiciary led at 39.6 percent, closely followed by litigation at 36.1 percent. Additionally, 43 percent expressed the desire to transition from being practicing advocates to judges.
The SCBA’s findings underline a profession gradually opening doors for women, even as systemic inequalities and work-life constraints persist. By documenting the lived realities of women lawyers, the survey aims to push forward policy reforms and foster a more inclusive legal environment across the country.
(Edited by Tony Rai)
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