Women In The Profession (WIP) was officially launched at a ceremonial event attended by female lawyers as part of efforts to promote the advancement of women in the legal profession, emphasizing both individual and leadership capacity within and across the legal profession.

Chinasa Uwanna, IP Consultant at Tsedaqah Attorneys, introduced WIP Nigeria, stating the vision, mission, trustees, and advisory board. Discussing the association's vision and mission, she noted that the Nigerian Chapter of the WIP is set to serve as a learning and leadership resource centre for developing Nigerian female lawyers. WIP would also provide an inclusive and safe space to network, seek support, and build capacity and leadership skills.

Speaking further on the mission, she noted that the association would impact the lives and status of Nigerian female lawyers through initiatives and programmes that address challenges encountered by female lawyers while serving as a resource centre for the strategic positioning of the Nigerian female lawyer.

Reporting on a survey carried out to determine the reason for the high female attrition rate in the legal profession, Tomilayo Fadoju, IP Attorney, Olaniwun Ajayi LP, noted that based on the challenges encountered by female lawyers, which include poor work-life balance, gender bias, employer insensitivity, marriage, poor remuneration, amongst others, 56% of the respondents maintained that there must be a conscious revamping of the policies of Nigerian law firms to accommodate the current realities of female lawyers as well as creating awareness and directing the spotlight on the challenges.

Some of the recommendations made to address these challenges include:

• Creating a flexible work environment for women
• Addressing the needs as they concern them without necessarily creating a one-size-fits-all solution
• Educating women on how to respond to gender bias
• The appraisal system should also be free of discrimination.

The event also witnessed a panel session where panellists had realistic conversations on how female lawyers can achieve work-life integration.

In her contribution, Derin Adefulu, Executive Head & Governance, Old Mutual Nigeria, stressed that it was important for female lawyers to be clear about their career goals, be self-aware and constantly engage in self-assessment. "No matter how you work, if not seen, it is as though you are not working," Adefulu added.

To mitigate stress as a woman and a lawyer, Michelle Williams, CEO of Resistant Vision Coaching & Consulting, also suggested that female lawyers should learn to prioritize and communicate internally within their association.

Female lawyers also unanimously agreed to push for extended maternity leave for women from three months to six months and four weeks of paternity leave for men.

In a Q & A session, Dolapo Kukoyi, Managing Partner, Detail Commercial Solicitors and President, WIP Nigeria, also highlighted plans to work with male lawyers to achieve their vision and engage the younger generation of female lawyers.

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