(Dr Bipin Adhikari, a senior constitutional expert, said, “The image of justice as a blindfolded woman balancing scales is a very illustrious example in the legal sector. However, in the system that we have, it is still difficult for women and candidates from most of the ethnic communities to be appointed judge and take on this responsibility due to various obstacles. These obstacles must be removed. It is clear that the Judicial Council has not been able to do it.” …But all is not lost. Although still underrepresented, the Government of Nepal has seen an increase in the participation of women in government, especially as members of the Constituent Assembly. In the dissolved CA of 2007, 32% of the members were women, a must that the Interim Constitution of Nepal 2007 clearly stated: “Notwithstanding anything contained in this clause, in case of women, there should be at least one third of total representation obtained”… Dr Adhikari added on the topic of criteria that “This is not an issue of identity politics. Judges are appointed not for their gender or ethnic biases, but for their knowledge of law, judicial skills and ability to serve as independent arbiters of the law. Their gender and ethnicity is irrelevant in the judicial decision making.”)
