Written by Lorraine Santos/THE RED CHRONICLES
Layout by Jed Naval/THE RED CHRONICLES
Around 700 BCE, the ancient Greek goddess Themis was believed to preside over justice and law. She, mythologically, has crafted the divine law, enjoining humans to follow fair play and morals. From there on, many of us have grown up knowing Lady Justice, a glorious representation of equality. Blindfolded, she holds a balanced scale in her left hand and a sword in her right. Her image depicts impartiality, without fear or favor in the eyes of the law.
It is not clear why the imagery of women is often used as a representation of justice, considering the histories of dominative patriarchal societies and the exclusion of women in political participation. Nonetheless, women have paved the way and excelled in this career. Despite the many divine images of justice, they all have one thing in common: Justice is a woman.
Over time, society has learned that women should not adjust to the male-centered legal profession, but the profession should be redesigned to embrace the sharp-witted and skilled women who are just as deserving of the title. In fact, women are now represented on the bench and given the opportunity to rise to positions in the highest courts.
Among the pioneers to overcome biases as a female lawyer was Natividad Almeda-Lopez, known for being the first female judge of the Municipal Court of Manila and eventually, the Court of Appeals. Although she was not the only woman to hurdle and pass the Bar Examinations during the 1910s, she was the first female lawyer to handle legal cases and defend clients publicly before the courts of law in our beloved motherland. Among her most esteemed accomplishments were her works for women’s rights and her speeches for equality. Since her rise in the prestigious profession, a number of female lawyers have been recognized as key players in what was formerly known as a male-dominated career and legal institution.
In 2022, two of San Beda College Alabang – School of Law’s esteemed professors, Hon. Selma Palacio Alaras and Hon. Wilhelmina Jorge-Wagan, were appointed as associate justices of the Court of Appeals. Before her appointment, Hon. Alaras was the presiding judge of RTC Makati City Branch 62, while Hon. Jorge-Wagan was the presiding judge of Pasig City RTC Branch 111. Such appointments clearly show that women are equally impactful in upholding justice when a diversified judiciary makes room for inclusivity. After all, all judges, regardless of gender, are expected to decide cases to preserve the rule of law.
We have swung the pendulum toward change. True enough that some people will continue to put female lawyers under relentless scrutiny for what they wear and how they display emotions, but they have something the fault-finding people lack — they can fight as women in the courtroom. These ladies in justice can give the public and male adversaries the persona that everyone loves but still looks up to with respect. While some see compassion, warmth, and sympathy as weaknesses associated with gender, many female lawyers have succeeded in turning said “feminine” attributes to their advantage. We have come a long way, and the legal profession is a good place to be.
The glass ceiling is not completely shattered. In 2021, writer and lawyer Alice Stephenson wrote an article in Forbes about women in the legal industry who make up only one-third of law firms in the UK and who struggle with progressing up the ladder to seniority. Many of the said female lawyers leave the profession around the time they start a family. Meanwhile, a McKinsey analysis shows that women make up 39% of global employment but account for 54% of overall job losses since the pandemic due to bias and childcare burden among other factors.1 This lack of flexibility in workplaces takes a toll. The setback does not merely lie in the fact that women are outnumbered in the courtroom; it is the community that often falls short in supporting women who, most of the time, assume the majority of the home and childcare responsibilities. This proves that not all male prosecutors, lawyers, judges and even speculators harbor sexist views of women, though many do.
But that has not stopped women from thriving in this field and making the best out of their skills to help the marginalized and less fortunate sectors. During the height of the pandemic, female lawyers undertook more pro bono work, says the Bloomberg Law.2
The ladies of justice are equally deserving of admiration for all their hard work and accomplishments. Lawyer and former Vice President Leni Robredo is among the women who have outstandingly contributed to our country’s development. Aside from being a member of the legal profession, she was also a leader, mother, and advocate of social justice and human rights. “I believe it’s the innate fortitude of women that helps me power through these roles,” she said in an interview.
Another person worthy of recognition is former Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno, known as the first female justice to lead the judiciary in the Southeast Asian nation, who despite the controversial impeachment has led the court in many reforms. She believed that justice should be accessible to all Filipinos and that the law should be responsive to not oppress but protect those who are vulnerable. Up to this day, she remains outspoken against the human rights violations of the infamous ‘drug war’ in the country. There are many other female lawyers who continue to make innovations and represent our country with honor, though their hard work remains unrecognized on social media platforms or news stations.
One thing remains important for female law students, lawyers, and members of the judiciary: Be seen as a woman first, and a lawyer second. We owe it to our children and our children’s children to promote inclusivity and respect women for who they are, regardless of the status quo. The challenge now is to take to heart the lessons of the past and support the ladies of justice in finding their place and rising up in the legal profession. Women deserve to thrive – not just survive. Let us keep the ball rolling to a progressive future.