…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 8th 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.
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
8th 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.
Read more female-lawyers-speak-on-work-experience-on-international-womens-day/