Dona J is a practicing advocate from Anchuthengu in Thiruvananthapuram district. She comes from a traditional fishing community and grew up witnessing the social and economic challenges faced by coastal families. Her father worked as a fisherman and her mother has been a consistent source of support for her and her two elder sisters.
Dona completed her schooling at Sacred Heart Convent High School and St. Joseph’s Higher Secondary School in Anchuthengu, followed by an undergraduate degree from St. Xavier’s College, Thumba. She earned her law degree from Mount Zion Law College under Mahatma Gandhi University and enrolled as an advocate in January 2025. She is currently practising under Advocate Sandhya J., whose work focuses on human rights litigation.
Her decision to pursue law was shaped by the inequities she observed in her community, particularly those affecting women and coastal labourers. Her areas of interest include human rights law, women’s rights, access to justice, and trial court litigation.
Dona has been active in community engagement. During the floods, she volunteered with KCYM in relief coordination and material distribution. She has also served as a Special Police Officer during elections to support safe and accessible voting.
Through the fellowship, she hopes to strengthen her advocacy for marginalized communities, expand her experience in rights-based litigation, and build a career rooted in public service and grassroots justice.
