SILF Hosts Event Honoring Women in Law on International Women’s Day

The Society of Indian Law Firms (SILF) and the SILF Ladies Group (SLG) today successfully hosted a significant celebration of International Women’s Day 2025, honouring the Founding Mothers of the Indian Constitution and their pioneering contributions in shaping the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047. The occasion was graced by Hon’ble Chief Guest, Attorney General of India, Mr. R. Venkataramani, and Guest of Honour, Ms. Archana Pathak Dave, Additional Solicitor General of India.

In his inaugural address, Attorney General R. Venkataramani said, “The struggles faced by women are uniquely different, shaped by both economic barriers and socially constructed expectations. Multitasking is often perceived as an inherent trait, but we must ask whether it is truly natural or a role imposed by society. If multitasking is a socially created challenge, then it requires socially created solutions. The remarkable women who shaped our Constitution proved that true leadership is built on compassion, humanism, and care—not just power or wealth. As law evolves, so must our approach to gender inclusion, ensuring that women’s participation makes legal frameworks more inclusive and representative.

Law, like science, must evolve. It is no longer just about contracts and codes—it governs every aspect of life. If more women actively participate in shaping legal policies, our justice system will become more progressive and equitable. It is time to redefine the so-called ‘glass ceiling’—transforming it from an unbreakable barrier to something as adaptable as clay in a potter’s hands. True success in law must not be measured by individual achievements alone, but by our ability to create a fair and humane society. Our responsibility is clear—to support, uplift, and celebrate the remarkable women shaping the legal profession and beyond.”

In her address, Additional Solicitor General Archana Pathak Dave said, “Women’s Day is not just about March 8; it is a commitment we must uphold every day. The fight for equality continues, and we must honor the extraordinary contributions of the women who shaped our history. Unlike many nations where constitutional processes were male-dominated, India’s Constituent Assembly included 15 pioneering women, among them Ammu Swaminathan, Begum Aizaz Rasool, Rajkumari Amrit Kaur, Sarojini Naidu, and Vijayalakshmi Pandit. These women, despite their diverse backgrounds, came together to frame a Constitution that embodies justice and equality.”

Dr. Lalit Bhasin, President, SILF, delivering the special address said, “It is fallacious to talk about the empowerment of women. Women are themselves the source of power—Shakti. They empower all sections of society. Instead, women should be celebrated, and their contributions should be recognised and honoured. On this SILF Ladies Day, we recognise the role of women in different disciplines who have brought glory to the country.”

As part of the celebration, SILF honoured outstanding women professionals through the SILF Women Excellence Awards, recognising exemplary contributions across various fields, including law, journalism, social work, and higher education. The awards were presented by Mr. R. Venkataramani. Among the distinguished awardees were Nupur Sharma, Advocate, Supreme Court of India; Dr. Gauri D Chakraborty, Professor, Times School of Media & Chairperson, Women Development Cell, Bennett University; Ms. Tejal Patil, General Counsel, Wipro; Dr. Mallika Tyagi, Associate Professor, Sri Ram College for Commerce; and Ms. Ritika Chopra, Bureau Chief and Education Editor, The Indian Express.

The award ceremony was followed by three panel discussions, featuring distinguished panelists from the legal, corporate, and academic sectors. The discussions included:

• "Redefining Leadership: The Rise of Inclusive and Adaptive Strategies," featuring Advocates Ms. Nandita Rao and Ms. Manjaree Chowdhary, ans Senior Advocates Ms Pinky Anand and Ms Mehak Oberoi, moderated by Advocate Shweta Bharti.
• "Redefining Workspaces: The Future of Collaboration and Creativity," featuring Dr. Gauri Durga Chakraborty, Dr. Mallika Kumar, and Advocate Payal Khanna, moderated by Advocate Petal Chandiok.
• "From Tradition to Innovation: Writing a New Chapter for Societal Evolution," featuring Justice (Retd.) Ms. Mukta Gupta, Senior Advocate Ms. Karuna Nundy, Senior Advocate Ms. Kaadambari Singh Puri, Senior Advocate Ms. Manisha T. Karia, and Advocate Ms. Priti Suri, moderated by Advocate Ms. Padmaja Kaul.

The event brought together eminent legal professionals, including Ms. Zia Mody, Chairperson of SLG; Ms Shweta Bharti, Managing Partner, Hammurabi & Solomon Partners; Ms. Nina Gupta, Vice Chair SILF and Member of Gender Sensitization Committee of the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India; along with academicians and business leaders, to reflect on the remarkable journey of women in law and governance.

Women have been instrumental in shaping the legal and constitutional framework, breaking barriers, and driving change in the pursuit of justice. The event honored their achievements, reflected on progress, and addressed challenges ahead. It concluded with a reaffirmed commitment to advancing women’s contributions to law and governance. As India moves toward Viksit Bharat 2047, this celebration underscored the indispensable role of women in building a progressive and equitable society.