The Advocates’ Association of Western India (AAWI) has unanimously amended its Rules and Constitution to reserve the post of President for a woman member once every three terms, with the new provision taking effect from the next election.
The decision was taken at a Special General Body Meeting held on August 21, following recommendations of a Constitutional Committee constituted on August 9 to examine measures for increasing women’s participation in the association’s executive leadership.
Under the proposed proviso to Rule 3(a), the office of President will be reserved for a woman member in every third term. The reserved term will follow two consecutive presidential terms without reservation. AAWI said that despite its 162-year history, no woman has ever served as its President.
With the amendment, AAWI becomes the first bar body in India to introduce a recurring reservation of its President’s post for women lawyers.
The changes also provide for reservation of the Secretary’s post. Under the proposed Rule 3(c), the Secretary’s position will be reserved for a woman member during the first of the two non-reserved presidential terms.
AAWI has also retained its existing reservation of one Vice-President post for women. The provision dates back to a 2018 reform under which one Vice-President position and two Executive Council seats were reserved for female members.
The 2026 amendments further expand the Executive Council from eight to nine regular members and mandate four seats for women. Of the five seats requiring a minimum of seven years of practice, two will be reserved for women. Of the remaining four seats requiring at least four years of practice, two will also be reserved for women. As a result, women advocates will occupy slightly more than one-third of the regular Executive Council positions.
AAWI President Prashant Relekar described the decision as historic. He said the move followed the Supreme Court’s direction concerning 30% reservation for women in bar associations and stated that AAWI had taken the initiative to become the first association to pass such a resolution. He also said that, for the first time in the country, a woman will lead a bar association under the new framework.
The resolution followed the recommendations of the Constitutional Committee formed on August 9. Vice-President Prachi Tatake said the committee included senior advocates, both men and women, whose suggestions formed the basis of the amendments. She said she had expected the resolution to receive unanimous approval.
Tatake also addressed the possibility of a situation arising in which no woman is available to contest or occupy the reserved post. She said there is currently no specific provision dealing with such a situation, but a Special General Body Meeting could be convened if necessary. She added that the association would make efforts to ensure that such a situation does not arise.
AAWI member advocate Sonal described the amendments as perhaps the most comprehensive and effective reservation framework for women advocates in the country. AAWI Secretary Suresh Sabrad said the move represents more than a change in leadership and reflects progress, inclusivity and confidence in women’s leadership.
The amendments mark a significant institutional step toward greater representation of women in the leadership and decision-making structure of one of India’s oldest bar associations.
