Justice Farah Mahbub of the Appellate Division has stated that women in Bangladesh are increasingly breaking long-standing societal taboos by entering and excelling in the legal profession. Speaking at an official reception on Sunday morning at Courtroom No. 1 of the Appellate Division—traditionally the Chief Justice’s bench—Justice Mahbub noted the significant shift from an era when legal careers were seen as unsuitable for women to the present, where female participation is robust and growing.
The courtroom was packed with lawyers, legal professionals, and guests, including Chief Justice Syed Refaat Ahmed and other justices of the Appellate Division, who were present on the bench. Justice Mahbub reflected on the transformation with pride and optimism, emphasizing that women were now joining the legal profession spontaneously and contributing meaningfully.
Highlighting the judiciary’s core responsibility, she said it is committed to ensuring everyone’s right to legal recourse and justice through a structured institutional framework. She expressed confidence that the judiciary will continue to uphold the legal and fundamental rights of the people as vigilant protectors of justice.
Justice Mahbub, along with Justice AKM Asaduzzaman, was appointed to the Appellate Division on March 24 and formally took the oath on March 25. With her appointment, she becomes the fifth woman ever to serve in Bangladesh’s highest court.
In accordance with tradition, a reception was held to honor the newly appointed justices. The Attorney General of Bangladesh, Md. Asaduzzaman, and the President of the Supreme Court Bar Association, AM Mahbub Uddin Khokon, delivered speeches celebrating the distinguished careers of both justices and congratulated them on their appointments.
Justice Mahbub underscored the growing presence of women in Bangladesh’s legal system. She pointed out that a significant portion of the country’s legal practitioners are women actively involved in litigation, while women constitute approximately 35 percent of the judiciary. These female judges are carrying out their duties with great competence and integrity.
Currently, there are 10 female judges in the higher judiciary, a number Justice Mahbub expects to increase steadily. However, she noted that this expansion is not only a mark of women’s empowerment but is also essential for ensuring equitable access to justice. She emphasized that many legal cases directly impact women as victims or plaintiffs, and having female lawyers or judges involved often provides much-needed comfort and makes the judicial process more inclusive and gender-sensitive.
Opening her speech with reflections on the values of democracy, Justice Mahbub emphasized the fundamental rights to freedom of speech, personal liberty, and justice, which were at the heart of Bangladesh’s 1971 Liberation War. She paid solemn tribute to the martyrs who sacrificed their lives for independence and honored the women who endured unimaginable suffering during the conflict. She also remembered the valiant freedom fighters whose courage and patriotism paved the way for an independent nation.
Justice Mahbub concluded by remembering the heroes of the July revolution—those who stood against injustice, embraced democratic values, and made the ultimate sacrifice in pursuit of a fairer and more just Bangladesh.