Harita Mehta, founder of Mehar Legal Services, is a legal professional with experience across civil and criminal litigation, matrimonial disputes, and cases involving violence against women and children. Through her legal practice and work focused on women’s rights, she has been involved in addressing issues that affect individuals, families and access to justice. In this interaction with Republic News India, she shares her perspective on the evolving role of women in the Indian legal profession, the challenges faced by women lawyers, the need for greater representation in leadership, and the importance of legal awareness in empowering women to understand and exercise their rights.
1. How has the role of women in the Indian legal profession evolved over the years?
The role of women in the Indian legal profession has evolved considerably, from overcoming barriers to entering the profession to increasingly contributing to litigation, legal scholarship, corporate law and judicial decision-making. Women lawyers today are handling complex cases, representing clients across diverse practice areas and advocating for stronger protections of individual rights.
However, progress in entry into the profession has not always translated into equal representation at senior levels. A report published by the Ministry of Law and Justice in February 2026 recorded 116 women among 814 serving High Court judges as of 2 February 2026, highlighting the continuing gap in representation in the higher judiciary.
In my experience, working on matters involving women’s rights, matrimonial disputes and violence against women and children has reinforced my belief that representation matters. Women lawyers bring their professional expertise and perspectives to cases that can have a profound impact on individuals and families. The next phase of progress must focus on ensuring that women have equal opportunities to build sustainable practices, lead institutions and participate in shaping the future of the profession.
2. As a woman lawyer with experience before the High Court and Supreme Court, what advice would you give to young women aspiring to build a career in litigation?
My advice to young women is to build their careers on three foundations: legal knowledge, professional integrity and perseverance. Litigation demands patience, preparation and the ability to remain composed under pressure. There will be periods when progress feels slow, particularly in the early years, but consistency and a willingness to learn are essential.
Young lawyers should invest time in understanding legal principles, studying judgments, developing drafting skills and observing courtroom proceedings. Equally important is finding mentors who can offer honest guidance and help them navigate the practical realities of the profession. Building professional relationships and learning to communicate confidently with clients, colleagues and the judiciary are also valuable skills.
I would encourage young women not to limit their ambitions because of prevailing stereotypes or assumptions about what they can manage. They should seek opportunities to handle substantive matters, take responsibility for their work and develop expertise in areas that interest them. A successful litigation career is built over time through credibility and competence. Above all, young women must remember that their presence in the courtroom is not an exception to be justified; it is an essential part of a profession committed to equal access to justice.
3. What are the biggest challenges women lawyers continue to face in building long-term careers?
One of the most significant challenges is the difficulty of establishing financial stability during the early years of litigation. Unlike many salaried professions, independent legal practice often involves uncertain earnings, long working hours and considerable time spent building a client base. These challenges can become more pronounced for women who also shoulder a disproportionate share of family and caregiving responsibilities.
Women may also encounter gender-based assumptions about their availability, commitment or ability to handle demanding cases. Limited access to influential professional networks, inadequate mentorship and underrepresentation in leadership positions can further affect career progression.
Addressing these challenges requires more than individual resilience. Bar associations, law firms and legal institutions must work towards transparent professional opportunities, effective mechanisms for addressing harassment and discrimination, mentorship programmes and more inclusive workplace practices. Financial and professional support for young advocates can also make a meaningful difference.
The goal should be to create an environment in which women can continue practising, specialise, take on leadership responsibilities and progress professionally without having to overcome avoidable structural barriers at every stage of their careers.
4. What can legal institutions do to create stronger leadership opportunities for women?
Legal institutions must move from acknowledging the importance of women’s representation to creating measurable pathways for their advancement. This begins with transparent criteria for leadership appointments, equal access to important cases and committees, and opportunities for women lawyers to participate in decision-making.
Bar associations, law firms and judicial institutions can introduce structured mentorship programmes that connect young women advocates with experienced practitioners. Leadership training, professional development initiatives and networking opportunities can help women build the confidence and institutional support required to assume senior roles.
Workplace safety is equally important. Institutions must ensure that complaints of harassment and discrimination are addressed fairly, promptly and through appropriate mechanisms. Where possible, practical measures that help lawyers manage caregiving responsibilities without compromising professional opportunities should also be considered.
Representation must extend beyond numbers. Women should have meaningful opportunities to influence institutional policies, lead professional bodies and contribute to legal reform. Progress should be evaluated through transparent data on recruitment, retention, leadership participation and career advancement.
Ultimately, stronger representation benefits the legal profession as a whole. Institutions that draw on a wider range of talent and experience are better positioned to build a fair, responsive and credible justice system.
5. How important is legal awareness in empowering women to understand and exercise their rights?
Legal awareness is fundamental to women’s empowerment because rights have limited practical value when people do not know they exist or understand how to exercise them. Awareness enables women to recognise violations, make informed decisions and seek appropriate remedies instead of feeling that they must accept injustice as inevitable.
Women should have access to clear information about their rights concerning domestic violence, workplace sexual harassment, matrimonial disputes, maintenance, inheritance, property ownership and child protection. They should also understand the difference between seeking legal advice, filing a complaint and approaching the appropriate authority or court.
Legal awareness must extend beyond urban centres and formal educational settings. Community organisations, educational institutions, local legal services authorities and civil society groups can help make reliable legal information accessible in regional languages. Digital platforms can broaden this reach, provided the information is accurate and presented responsibly.
My work involving women and children has reinforced the importance of connecting legal knowledge with accessible support systems. Awareness campaigns should therefore explain not only what rights women have, but also where they can seek assistance and what remedies may be available.
An empowered woman is one who can make informed choices, recognise when her rights are at risk and approach the appropriate institutions with confidence. Building that awareness is a shared responsibility of legal professionals, institutions and society.
