Pala Bar Association in Kerala Elects All-Women Panel for Key Executive Committee Positions

• Pala Bar Association in Kerala has chosen an all-women panel for important posts in its executive committee 

Kerala's Pala Bar Association has taken a bold step by electing an all-women panel to take up prominent positions on its executive committee. The election of 15 posts has been recognized at a time when the trend towards more female representation in bar associations is on the rise across the country, according to LiveLaw.  

The Supreme Court is hearing cases to make way for women to take part in leadership roles at bar associations. Last year, the Court had directed that one-third of Supreme Court Bar Association posts are reserved for women lawyers, which has since been extended to other bar associations such as those of Delhi High Court and Karnataka.  

In this context, the election of a complete panel of women by the Pala Bar Association is noteworthy in that it surpasses the one-third reservation level, and this provides a good precedent for gender-balanced leadership in the legal profession. The elected panel is led by Advocate Usha Menon, who was elected with 163 votes, and her competitor, Advocate Josekutty Kuzhithottam, with 70 votes.  

The association's office-bearers are President Usha Menon Ushus, Vice-President Minimol Cyriac Valiyaveettil, Secretary Remya R Kakkanattu Ozhukayil, Joint Secretary Prejisha Jose Vathalloor, and Treasurer Nisha Nirmala George Puthenpurackal.  

The executive committee also comprises Asha Ravi Mulanjanikkunnel as the Lady Representative, senior members Gayathri Raveendran Vandannoor, Maggi Balaram Ezhervayalil, Manjusha KG Vadayattu, Remya Rose George Perekkattu, Sanju PS Sreenilayam, Solimol Sebastian Eruvelikkunnel, and Tinu Scaria Pandiyammackal. The junior members include Deepa NG Njundanmakkal and Irine Elisabeth B Moothasseril.