The first International Women’s Day was held in March 1911 and this annual event marks a call to action for accelerating gender parity as groups come together to celebrate women’s achievements or rally for women’s equality. The campaign theme for International Women’s Day 2024 is Inspire Inclusion – when we inspire others to understand and value women’s inclusion, we forge a better world.
Examples of how LEX Africa women lawyers uplift and empower other women.
At Corpus Legal Practitioners, LEX Africa’s Zambian member, guidance and mentorship is provided to female interns and junior associates to help them navigate the legal profession and build successful careers. “I personally contribute to this endeavour through one-on-one meetings with my female team members. These sessions offer a supportive environment where we discuss career goals, address challenges, and explore opportunities for growth and advancement within the legal field” says Jackie Jhala, a partner at the firm with 18 years’ experience who leads the firm’s Corporate Advisory Department.
Denilda Niuaia and Edna Sacate from LEX Africa’s Mozambican member JLA Advogados note that “in our firm, the establishment of hybrid working measures marked a pivotal moment of empowerment and support among women lawyers, aligning us with progressive trends towards more adaptable work environments. Recognising the unique challenges faced by professional mothers, we approached our firm with a proposal to introduce a more flexible working arrangement. Our aim was to establish a work environment conducive to balancing professional responsibilities with family life. To our delight, the firm embraced our suggestion, adopting hybrid working measures that far exceeded our initial request.”
The firm’s response included introducing additional benefits that underscored its commitment to lawyers and employee’s well-being. Notably, it increased the number of holiday days beyond the statutory requirements, allowing women lawyers to be present for significant family milestones—like their child’s first day of school and Children’s Day. This initiative marked a significant step towards fostering a supportive and inclusive workplace and enhancing work-life balance. “It’s a testament to the organisation’s commitment to not just meeting, but exceeding, the needs of its lawyers and employees” say Edna and Denilda.
Ghiyta Iraqi, managing partner at I&I Law firm, LEX Africa’s Moroccan member, has openly acknowledged that as an employer, she prefers to hire women. “I am the founder of a circle of Women in Law, to help women in the legal field help each other and congratulate each other for their successes.” Iraqi’s endeavour to empower other women is further enhanced by her membership of a female professional association.
Tangible benefits for women across the continent
Efforts in uplifting and empowering other women within LEX Africa members and in the legal community have resulted in tangible outcomes. “By fostering a supportive environment and providing mentorship opportunities, we have helped women lawyers develop their skills, improve their productivity, maintain a healthy work life balance, build confidence, and advance in their careers. Many of our mentees have gone on to achieve notable successes, securing prominent positions within the legal industry and making significant contributions to our firm’s growth and reputation” says Jhala.
Niuaia and Sacate agree that through targeted efforts, their firm not only achieved a balanced professional and personal life for women and mothers at the firm, but also cultivated an inclusive, supportive working environment that valued and supported the well-being and professional growth of all its lawyers and employees.
Says Iraqi “I feel that in Morocco, Moroccan ladies are increasingly more present in business, political and professional activities. I think that the efforts of many Moroccan women are achieving the important goal to empower women in Morocco.”
Every year in August, South Africa marks Women’s Month and pays tribute to the more than 20000 women who marched to the Union Buildings on 9 August 1956 in protest against the extension of Apartheid pass laws to women. Says Pieter Steyn, Chairman of LEX Africa and a director of Werksmans Attorneys in South Africa, “as South Africa commemorates the courageous and inspiring actions of South African women who took a stand against oppression and discrimination, LEX Africa salutes its women lawyers across the continent who through their daily actions empower and inspire women in Africa.“
