THOUGH THE role of women in the courts has increased markedly in the last 15 years, there are still glaring inequalities, such as the lack women judges outside of New York City, according to a new report by the New York State Committee on Women in the Courts.

In the Fourth Judicial District, which includes Essex, Franklin, Hamilton and eight other counties northeast of Albany, there was not a single woman elected to the 14 State Supreme Court judgeships from 1998 through 2001.