The show Heera Mandi ended with a compelling dialogue that resonated deeply with me, something along the lines of:
“A nation that hesitates to give its women a share in property—how can it allow them a place in history?”
This sentiment has stayed with me ever since.
We have an extensive list of male personalities who have left their mark on history and received their rightful recognition. Yet we rarely hear about the amazing women who have done the same. I cannot agree with those who say that, in earlier times, there were not many women courageous enough to stand out. With each passing day, I discover the name of yet another unsung heroine who defied the odds, made history, and paved the way for us.
Cornelia Sorabji: The First Female Advocate
Just recently, I came across a name relevant to law that left me wondering—how could a class of 100 students, yet not a single one, be aware of her?
Cornelia Sorabji paved the way for millions of female lawyers. She was not only the first female to study law at Oxford, but she also became the first female advocate in the Indian subcontinent. She became the voice of all those *purdah-nasheen* women who could not be legally represented before. She emerged as an early female activist who stood up for the right to education for young girls in the subcontinent and for other rights of the youth at that time.
Cornelia Sorabji not only changed the legal dynamics for women of that era, but she is also the reason why women are given the right to advocate in courts. She not only made her mark on history but also changed the discourse of history, and yet the majority of us are unaware of her existence and efforts.
Justice Anna Chandy: India’s First Female High Court Judge
Another unheard name, or someone I did not hear about as a student of law, is Justice Anna Chandy, India’s first female High Court Judge. Justice Anna is described as a “first-generation feminist.”
She was not only the first female judge of the Indian High Court but also the second female in the world to reach the high court judgeship in 1959. Apart from being an important figure in the world of law, she was an exceptional writer; she founded and was the first editor of the *Shreemati Journal*, in which she advocated for the rights of women.
She is yet another unsung heroine forgotten between the lines of history.
Rubina Saigol: A Forgotten Feminist Scholar
Rubina Saigol—yet another name washed away in the chaos of our nation. Rubina was a Pakistani feminist scholar, educationalist, and women’s rights activist. She was an author and editor of various Urdu and English papers and books.
Her work revolved around the themes of gender, education, nationalism, the state, ethnicity, religious radicalism, terrorism, feminism, and human rights. She was a senior member of the Women’s Action Forum and co-founder of Ajoka Theatre Group. She was also a member of the advisory board of Simorgh, a Pakistan-based non-profit focused on women’s rights.
Shehla Zia: A Pioneer in Environmental and Women’s Rights
Shehla Zia is famously known for her case against WAPDA, which was a landmark environmental law case in Pakistan that recognized the right to a healthy environment.
She devoted 35 years of her life to securing the legal rights of women. Shehla joined the Aurat Foundation as a joint director and director of its legislative watch program. Here, her work revolved around gender sensitization in NGOs and among federal government officials. Shehla built a reputation for fighting against discriminatory laws targeting women.
Yet, despite the various aspects of her work, we have restricted her entire career and personality to only the WAPDA case.
Conclusion
Despite societal barriers and resistance, these women stand tall as a testament to their courage and unwavering commitment to bringing change in society and paving paths for the future.
Yet we fail to give them the recognition and credit they deserve. It is high time that we start appreciating these remarkable women and ensure that their legacies are acknowledged.