In a primary, Advocates Affiliation of Western India (AAWI) a attorneys affiliation within the Bombay Excessive Courtroom, will now get a Girl Advocate as its President, in its existence of 162 years.
This comes after AAWI amended its Structure and Guidelines to order the publish of its President for ladies attorneys.
Confirming the event, senior advocate Deepa Chawan mentioned that it is a important improvement as it might assist ladies attorneys to now lead one of many oldest Bar Associations within the nation.
“In 162 years of AAWI we might have a ladies president on the helm it’s nearly like a pathbreaking constructing an equality… skewed ratio of ladies as members it is a massive step in direction of equality.. Positively a milestone for ladies… In 2018 itself AAWI had reserved ,” Chawan mentioned.
In an official assertion issued by AAWI President Prashant Relekar, it has been resolved that the publish of President can be reserved for girl attorneys.
“The AAWI, one of many oldest affiliation of attorneys in India, established in 1864, has unanimously resolved to amend its Structure and Guidelines to order the publish of President — the very best workplace in its Government Council — for ladies members, efficient from the very subsequent election. In its 162 years of existence, AAWI has by no means had a girl occupy the publish of President. As we speak’s resolution marks a historic and long-overdue correction, making certain {that a} girl member will lead the Affiliation as soon as in each three phrases,” an official assertion from AAWI reads.
The decision follows consideration of a report submitted by AAWI’s Constitutional Modification Committee, chaired by AAWI President Prashant Relekar, which was tasked with recommending amendments to broaden the participation of ladies within the Affiliation’s government management. This Committee was constituted at AAWI’s Particular Normal Physique Assembly held on August 9, 2026.
“Past the Presidency, the Committee really useful reservations for the posts of Secretary, Joint Secretary, and Members of the Government Council, extending the precept of gender illustration throughout the Affiliation’s management construction. This newest reform builds on AAWI’s earlier initiative in 2018, when it reserved the posts of Vice-President and two Government Council Members for ladies — a step that laid the muse for at the moment’s extra far-reaching change,” the AAWI assertion mentioned.
