Instagram Lawyers to Know and Learn From

We spoke to five female lawyers who are utilising the power of social media to educate and inform their followers about the Indian law and legal rights, one post at a time.

- Shambhavi Dutta

RUPALI SHARMA @LAWGICALCONNECT

“For as long as I can remember, I wanted to be a lawyer, and I went through some terrifying experiences that pushed me in that direction...not just to safeguard my life, but to also help other women. I started receiving abusive messages online, and I was too terrified to lodge a complaint. This made me realise how difficult it is for women in India to even make themselves heard. To address the same, I launched my Instagram page to educate my followers about the Indian law and how it can help fight harassment, domestic violence, and issues related to cyber safety, among others.

It’s sad that our society is still patriarchal to a large extent, and owing to that, women are discouraged from practicing the law. It comes from a common stereotype and misconception that law isn’t a female-friendly profession (and that it would make a woman too outspoken)!

Luckily, social media is an effective way to reach people. And when paired with informed journalism, it plays a big role in spreading awareness about the rights of individuals as well as the laws governing the land. When my followers started sharing their stories—of how they got the courage to speak up against injustices through my content—I realised how awareness can lead to action. Indian laws are quite progressive, but correct implementation is what the system currently lacks, making even the most liberal laws ineffective. That’s why being an informed citizen helps create a responsible society.”

HIRAL NAGORI @HIRAL_NAGORI