Lithuanian judges (women) in interwar period

Abstract

The article discusses the participation and self-realisation of women in the system of the courts between the two world wars. Till 1917 in Russia after the graduation of studies women were forbidden to work as judges or advocates. Becoming a judge or an advocate was deemed to be a masculine profession, discrimination of women was legitimised. There was no gender equality, nobody talked about equal rights. On 2 November 1918 the first temporary Constitution of Lithuania was adopted, Lithuania established the legal basis. The Constitution provided to women the right to vote. Step by step gender equality started to evolve. In the article the author analyses the data from the archives about women’s legal studies in Vytautas Magnus University, possibilities of women to work in the judicial office, their legal career at the courts. The article reveals dynamic changes of women judges’ activities in the context of gender equality. Gender equality was declared in a formal way, there was no real gender equality. Stereotypes about women were manifest. Between the two world wars discriminatory relationships in the field of gender equality diminished a bit. Positive changes happened in Vytautas Magnus University Faculty of Law during the independence period. Women could study law. The article analyses the participation of women judges from the point of gender equality in the system of the courts starting from Russian occupation and finishing with current situation. On 11 March 1990 the Republic of Lithuania regained independence. The proportion and influence of women judges changed essentially. Currently the principle of gender equality is implemented in Lithuania.