The Hindustan Times reported today that only 60 to 70 practising advocates in the Gurgaon district courts were women, compared to 1,200 men.

According to figures that appear to have been provided by the Gurgaon’s District Bar Association, 8 per cent or 250 of 3,149 registered advocates at the same court were lawyers.

In the Faridabad district bar, 14 per cent, or 250 women advocates out of a total of 1,800 lawyers were members.

Twenty-four-year-old advocate Ayesha Matharu who lives in Gurgaon but practices in Delhi, told the HT: “I started my career from the local court here but moved to Delhi within a few days. I didn't like what I saw here. I wasn't comfortable and felt apprehensive since there are very few women lawyers. People would stare me down.”

Local Gurgaon lawyer Sunita Srivastava told the paper: “Unlike Delhi where most law firms hire the young crop of lawyers at high salaries, not many corporate lawyers work in the Gurgaon court.”

Legally India’s analysis of senior counsel promotions earlier this year showed that only six women were elevated in 20 years, out of more than 200 senior counsel appointments, while the Bombay High Court in September again did not elevate any women to the position.