Judge Harshila Kooverjie – from the Gauteng Division of the High Court in Pretoria

This week on Womanity-Women in Unity for our series on women in the judiciary Dr. Amaleya Goneos-Malka talks to Judge Harshila Kooverjie – from the Gauteng Division of the High Court in Pretoria. Prior to her appointment to the bar Judge Kooverjie served on several public sector boards, like the Council for Medical Schemes, Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, Financial Services Board Tribunal as well as the Legal Practice Council – which regulates the legal profession. These positions provide checks and balances to ensure that government does its work properly and citizens don’t abuse their powers. Judge Kooverjie reflects on some of the impactful cases that she has presided over. We discuss the need for victims of gender based violence to have better support structures and processes to help them systematically navigate these traumatic situations. We consider education as a tool to advance gender equality gains, it empowers people to be competitive and at the top of their game. Judge Kooverjie notes that people need to understand the real value of women to society. For too long women have been absorbing more and more responsibilities in order to participate in the workforce without reducing their commitments to the household. Work institutions could help alleviate the pressure by providing on-site childcare facilities. Real change will only come from walking the walk, not talking the talk. Tune in for more…