Chandigarh, May 1, 2023:  The Punjab and Haryana Bar Council and the All India Federation of Women Lawyers (AIFWL) jointly established the northern branch of the Punjab and Haryana Federation of Women Lawyers yesterday, with Ritu Punj Advocate as President and Dr. Kanu Sharma as Secretary.

The All India Federation of Women Lawyers is India’s largest association of female lawyers. The federation was founded in 2007 and is linked with the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), a 1944 international NGO that is the largest group of women lawyers in the world, with a presence in over 94 countries.

The inaugural ceremony and seminar on the topic “Role of Women in the Dispensation of Justice” took place on Sunday, April 30th at 10:00 a.m. at Law Bhawan, Sector 37A, Chandigarh.

The two-hour event was presided over by Hon’ble Ms Justice Manjari Nehru Kaul Judge PHHC and held in the august presence of Hon’ble Justice Arun Palli Judge Punjab & Haryana High Court. Hon’ble Justice Rajesh Bhardwaj, Hon’ble Justice Nidhi Gupta, Hon’ble Justice Sanjay Vashishth, Dr Amee Yajnik Adv MP Rajya Sabha, and Suvir Sidhu Chairman of Bar Council were among the honorees.

Hemlata Adv President All India Federation of Women Lawyers) and K. Sheela Anish Adv Founder President of All India Federation of Women Lawyers were present from the national executive.

Justice Kaul emphasised the importance of recognising women in law and their unique achievements. Other dignitaries spoke on the topic and shared their personal experiences.

Many retired judges, Senior Advocates, women lawyers from the region, young lawyers, and academicians were in the audience.

This federation’s aim is to promote women lawyers in the legal profession and to establish venues for growth. The Federation’s northern section will collaborate with other state units on national and international levels, and it plans to host the first international Women in Law Conference in Chandigarh later this year.