Rekha Sharma, Chairperson of the National Commission for Women (NCW), has written a letter to the Registrar General of the Madras High Court, urging for measures to address the lack of toilet facilities for women lawyers at the Nilgiris Court Complex in Ooty, Tamil Nadu.
In her letter dated 7 June, Sharma emphasized that providing a separate and fully functional toilet facility for women lawyers was not just a matter of gender equality and dignity, but also a crucial step towards creating an inclusive and conducive environment for all legal professionals.
“I urge you to promptly take note of this matter and intervene to ensure that appropriate measures are taken to address this urgent issue,” she stated.
The NCW has requested a report on the actions taken by the High Court Registrar General within three days.
This letter follows the longstanding struggle of women lawyers, who have been fighting for a toilet in the Nilgiris court complex for nearly three decades.
In October of the previous year, the new combined court complex building in Udhagamandalam (Ooty) was inaugurated, more than two decades after the four-acre plot was allocated for this purpose.
The new complex includes eight court buildings, chambers for lawyers, two rooms for paralegals, rooms for judges’ drivers, a vulnerable victims’ room, and a convention hall. Interestingly, it also features a luxurious “bedroom” furnished with a queen-size bed and a chaise longue.
However, what the new building lacks is a toilet for the approximately 60 women lawyers practicing there.
The NCW took action based on a complaint filed by Aditya Kashyap, which highlighted the absence of toilet facilities for women lawyers within the recently inaugurated court complex. The complaint stated, “The new court complex was inaugurated in June 2022. While the complex boasts several amenities and facilities, it shockingly lacks a designated toilet accessible to women lawyers.”
The letter also emphasized the discomfort and indignity experienced by women lawyers in such a situation, where they have to struggle with basic sanitation needs while fulfilling their professional duties.
“It is disheartening to learn that women lawyers in Nilgiris have been demanding a toilet in the court complex for the past 25 years without any resolution. This prolonged neglect of their legitimate and basic requirement not only violates their rights but also hampers their ability to effectively carry out their legal responsibilities,” the letter stated.
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