IWD 2019: Female lawyers speak on work experience on International Women’s Day

…Urge organisations to take action for a more gender-balanced world As the world celebrates women today on the occasion of International Women’s Day (IWD), March 8^th 2019 with the theme, #BalanceforBetter, gender advocates are pushing for a gender-balanced boardroom, a gender-balanced government, gender-balanced employment and more gender-balance in economic empowerment. Across the globe, organisations, including law firms are taking action for gender equality, gender parity and balance. In its IWD message, Kingsley Napley said, “We are proud to support the #BalanceforBetter campaign and we would be publishing a series of blogs and short podcasts to promote discussion around gender parity and the continued relevance of International Women’s Day.” Board Chair of The Law Society England & Wales and Consultant to TLT LLP, Robert Bourns, speaks of actions taken by the Law Society to ensure gender balance. He said, “The Law Society and our Women Lawyers Division are committed to a range of measures to support career progression and satisfaction for women. “We work closely with law firms and other organisations to encourage them to adopt more flexible working practices and to put in place policies that support discrimination-free career progression. Our Diversity and Inclusion Charter is another way in which we identify and share good practice to support women fulfil their potential,” In Nigeria, commercial law firm, Duale, Ovia & Alex-Adedipe (DOA) joined global organisations and law firms across the world to take action for gender balance, as they celebrate the achievements of their women, whilst raising awareness against bias. They urge organisations to take action for equality and help forge a more gender-balanced world. Speaking about gender parity, six (6) DOA women, speak about their experiences at a law firm that is #BalancedforBetter. DOA Partner, Soibi Ovia, shares her experience as a workingwoman, a wife, mother of three and a legal practitioner. She said, “Success means finding a seamless work-life balance. Life at DOA has provided me with a conducive environment to build my professional career in dispute resolution whilst maintaining a happy home front.” “The culture at my firm is inspirational. With one voice we are changing the narrative and leveling the playing field across gender lines. It is for this reason that the theme for the IWD 2019, #BalanceForBetter means a lot to me personally. DOA is phenomenal. DOA is balanced for better. Kitan Arogundade, who speaks of stereotypes, is quick to point out that she is free from gender stereotype at her workplace, “and there is no limit to what I can achieve.  At DOA, I own my career, I am #BalancedForBetter,” she said. https://youtu.be/H0KpOhp6YPg Bolanle Dabiri gives an insight into the personality of a DOA woman. She said, “She has the opportunity to earn her seat at the table and I like being her because she is poised to achieve so much and nobody but her can stop her.” Chika Oke who is an avid advocate of gender equality, values the pedestal given to her as a DOA woman. She says, “There is no limit to what I can achieve.” She urges other women to challenge the status quo. Another DOA woman is excited to see how women at DOA effortlessly demonstrate courage and leadership skills in various interactions throughout the course of the day. “I support women empowerment and I support being balanced for better,” Bubari Agara Funke Alabi informs TNL that diversity and inclusion is one of the ultimate focuses at DOA. “We strive to cultivate an environment that fosters an all-inclusive workforce through a dynamic approach where our team feels fully engaged and have a sense of value,” she said. International Women’s is celebrated March 8^th every year. It is a focal point in the movement for the rights of women and a call to action for accelerating gender parity. More recently, there seems to be a significant shift in attitudes towards women and society’s thoughts about equality. Women are gradually obtaining greater rights at work, greater equality in legislative rights, and increased visibility as impressive role models in every aspect of life. Unfortunately, gender parity isn’t there yet. Women are still not paid equally to that of their male counterparts, women are still are not present in equal numbers in business or politics, and globally women’s education, health and the violence against them is worse than that of men. However, great improvements have been made. This is why the International Women’s Day is celebrated.]]>