The University of Pretoria's Faculty of Law (UP Law) hosted a ground-breaking event on October 4, 2023. This event brought together prominent women in the legal field to discuss the theme: "Women in Law: Women belong in all places where decisions are being made. It shouldn't be that women are the exception." This Women's Forum was an inspirational gathering that explored the challenges and triumphs of women in the legal profession, featuring a keynote address by the Dean of UP Law, Professor Elsabe Schoeman, and insightful panel discussions.

The event commenced with a warm welcome from Yonela Vaya, the day's programme director. She then introduced the Dean of UP Law, Professor Elsabe Schoeman, who began her profound address by posing critical questions to the audience, highlighting the scarcity of female presidents on a global scale and the limited representation of women in significant legal positions. She stressed the importance of women's representation in leadership roles, posing the question, "Why is the representation of women important?". She explained that the representation of women is imperative because of the capabilities of women to excel in leadership roles and the unique talents and qualities they bring to all spaces they occupy.

Professor Schoeman also acknowledged the challenges faced by women, particularly in the post-COVID era, where many struggled to maintain their professional presence. She further expressed her enthusiasm for the event's programme and encouraged women to support one another through mentoring, emphasising the power of sharing personal stories and experiences.

A panel discussion, titled UP Law Alumni: Finding your Career Path in Law, moderated by Ms. Tiara Joseph, an accomplished final-year LLB student, followed. This session featured legal professionals, including Adv. Nelsie Ruhinda, Mrs. Kgopotso Maunatlala and Mrs. Sophy Baird, who shared their varied career journeys in practice and academia. They emphasised the need for women to pursue their passions in law and recognise that they are not exceptions but deserving of their positions, based on merit. One of the many challenges they discussed was imposter syndrome, with one panellist advocating for self-confidence and self-assuredness. The most notable lesson from this panel was the importance of self-belief and taking risks to advance career goals in the field of law.

The second-panel discussion, titled Women in Leadership: Climbing the Corporate Ladder, was moderated by Ms. Khodani Sengwane, a Lecturer in the Department of Mercantile Law. This panel delved into the personal experiences of women who had reached leadership positions in the corporate world. The panelists included the Chairperson of Adams & Adams, Mrs. Kelly Thompson, and a Partner from MacRobert Attorneys, Ms. Kem Tumba Diong, who shared their experiences and insights on advancing in the corporate world. Ms. Diong emphasised the importance of finding one's niche and taking calculated risks. Mrs. Thompson shared her journey with us from being a law student and humorously mentioned "falling" into her chair of the firm role. During the panel discussion, they explored the following: policies supporting women, including remote work accommodation due to COVID-19; challenges unique to women; the concept of the glass ceiling; and policies for gender equality. Mrs. Thompson mentioned the importance of assertiveness for women. Both speakers advised women to be confident and set boundaries, with Thompson reminding women not to let work-life balance become a source of stress. This panel shed light on personal experiences, challenges, and strategies for women pursuing leadership roles in the corporate world. Confidence, support, and gender equality were central themes.

The third panel discussion, titled The Importance of Mentorship and Networking for Women in Law, was a pivotal segment that delved into the profound impact mentorship and networking can have on women's career paths in the legal profession. The panel was moderated by Ms. Shanley Webb, a third-year LLB student and the Deputy Chief Justice of the Constitutional Tribunal. The panel discussion featured Senior Magistrate Janine Jansen Van Rensburg, Dr. Tshepiso Ngoepe, and Ms. Barbara Sambo. Ms. Webb highlighted the significance of mentorship and featured an inspiring quote by Oprah, "Mentor someone who allows you to see the hope within yourself". The panelists shared their experiences with their mentors and discussed how to approach potential mentors. The panel also emphasised that mentorship was lauded as fulfilling, and the discussion revolved around the University's potential initiatives to advance mentorship.

They also provided a comprehensive and enlightening discussion on the significance of mentorship and networking for women in the legal profession. It showcased the transformative power of mentorship, offered practical advice for both mentors and mentees and highlighted the pivotal role educational institutions can play in advancing mentorship initiatives. The panellists’ diverse experiences and insights made it an invaluable session for all aspiring women in the field of law.

The final panel discussion titled UP Law Women in Leadership and featured distinguished women in leadership positions at UP Law, including Prof. Ntombizozuko 'Zozo' Dyani-Mhango, Adv. Karabo Ozah, Prof. Sylvia Papadopoulos, Dr. Kamalesh Newaj and Dr. Jani van Wyk. This session was moderated by astute author and academic Ms. Bosele Teke, who delved into the impact of their roles, career navigation, and the importance of learning from others. The advice included focusing on passion, commitment, and being open to change. 

The panelists then shared their career journeys and strategies for success. Dr. Van Wyk emphasised the importance of applying lessons learned in different contexts and maintaining an open mind. Prof. Dyani-Mhango attributed her success to the guidance of mentors, learning from students, and challenging relationships with colleagues. Adv. Ozah, a self-proclaimed "accidental academic", encouraged aspiring leaders to focus on their passion and not rush towards overnight success, learning from every person they encounter. Dr. Newaj emphasised the significance of passion, commitment, and understanding the progression in building an academic career, while Prof. Papadopoulos stressed the importance of hard work and perseverance in business and the value of finding a specialisation one is passionate about.

The event's closing was delivered by Ms. Tshilidzi Mahumela, Academic Associate in the Dean's Office, who spearheaded the event. She acknowledged the sponsors of the event, Adams & Adams, MacRobert Attorneys, VZLR, and ENSafrica, for their significant financial contribution towards the event. In addition, she expressed the Faculty's gratitude to all the panelists who agreed to participate in this initiative. As a final note, Ms Mahumela thanked the Office of the Dean in the Faculty of Law for making this event possible.

The Women in Law event at the University of Pretoria's Faculty of Law was a resounding success, offering valuable insights, advice, and inspiration for women pursuing careers in the legal field. The importance of representation, mentorship, and self-confidence were recurring themes throughout the event. As we move forward, these discussions will undoubtedly empower women to break barriers and continue making strides in the legal profession.