On Friday, October 25, 2024, the Plant Sciences Auditorium at the University of Pretoria was filled with lively debates and intelligent interactions as the Faculty of Law sponsored its second annual Women in Law Forum. This year's event, titled Voices of Change: Inspiring Women for a Brighter Future, brought together aspiring professionals, students, academics, and legal practitioners who are committed to expanding women's roles in law. The seminar, led by program director Ms Bosele Teke, covered a wide range of subjects important to women in the legal industry, including career development and leadership, diversity, inclusion, and social justice.

In her introductory remarks, Prof Elsabe Schoeman, Dean of the Faculty of Law, underlined the need to have a platform for discussing women's issues and accomplishments in the legal profession. "We are making a lot of progress; last year, I shared a quote that said, "Women must be in spaces where decisions are made; it should not be the exception," she reminded us. Professor Schoeman stressed the need to go even further in ensuring women's representation in decision-making venues. She concluded with a striking quote from Arundhati Roy: "The trouble is, once you see, you cannot unsee it, and once you see it, keeping silent becomes as political an act as speaking out." She invited attendees to participate actively and thanked them for their efforts.

Ms Azraa Janse van Vuuren, Director at VZLR Attorneys, delivered a powerful keynote talk titled From Breakthrough to Blueprint: How Women in Leadership Are Redesigning the Future of Law. She noted the critical changes occurring as women establish their own pathways in law, taking into account "What drives us women is the change we want to see." Ms. Janse van Vuuren emphasized a collaborative mentality, stating, "The long-term goal is not just about you and me; it's about future legal minds." Attendees appreciated her views on reimagining leadership and turning obstacles into opportunities. She emphasized the need to address unconscious gender bias, which she defines as "unintentional and involuntary mental associations based on gender, originating from traditions, customs, values, culture, and experience. Ms. Janse van Vuuren emphasized the necessity of boosting the number of female leaders, saying, "We need a rock band, not just a rock star."

Advocate Nthabiseng Sepanya Mogale, Chairperson of the Commission for Gender Equality, delivered the first session on Workplace Culture: Creating Supportive Environments for Women in Law. She started, "Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for inviting me. We can never have enough forums like these to raise awareness and work for a better society; every effort is valuable." Advocate Mogale, speaking as a constitutional duty bearer, emphasized the importance of workplace inclusivity, encouraging organizations to eliminate hidden biases and implement women-friendly policies. 

Mrs Tebello Motshwane, the founder of Sister in Law, conducted a session titled "The Future of Women in Legal Practice: Trends and Predictions." She discussed developing trends influencing women's careers in law, emphasizing the importance of perseverance and hard effort. "Give yourself permission to let the plan change," she told me. Reflecting on her own, career, she stated, "My journey did not follow my original plan, but the end goal of empowering women through legal education remained unchanged." She supported a forward-thinking approach and emphasized the need for adaptation.

Ms. Elma Akob led the panel discussion Breaking Barriers: Women Leaders in Law, which included prominent leaders such as Ms. Refilwe Moitse, Mrs. Karabo Tshabuse, Ms. Bhavna Singh, Ms. Lerato Thahane, and Ms Brightness Mangolothi. They recounted their stories of overcoming difficulties, ranging from gender biases to institutional challenges, urging young people to take up leadership responsibilities with confidence.

In Advancing Diversity and Inclusion in the Legal System, a session moderated by Ms Lizelle le Roux, Professors Rashri Baboolal-Frank and Anton Kok, as well as Ms. Noemi Muya and Mrs. Kundi Ramashia-Dube, they discussed practical ideas for making legal education more inclusive. They explored how educational efforts and faculty representation may address these discrepancies, going beyond tokenism to truly empower women and marginalized communities in the field.

Ms. Yanga Malotana moderated the session Public Interest Law: Women's Roles in Shaping Social Justice, which focused on women's contributions to social justice through advocacy. Panelists, including Advocate Lesego Montsho-Moloisane, Professor Elmien du Plessis, Advocate Sandra Selokela Makoasha, Ms Yasmine Luhandjula, and Advocate Noluthando Ncame, discussed their work in public interest law, emphasizing the importance of women in advancing social justice and supporting vulnerable communities.

The final panel discussion, "Navigating the Crossroads: Young Professionals Charting Their Career Paths in Academia and Beyond," invited young professionals to debate their career options. Dr. Princess Ncube, Ms. Molatelo Tlowana, Dr. Liesl Hager, Ms. Yvonne Shabangu, and Mrs. Samantha Getsos discussed their experiences in academics, corporate law, and public service, balancing personal and professional ambitions.

Prof Schoeman expressed deep gratitude to all speakers, the event's organisers, and attendees. She added that the event provided an empowering environment for women to discuss their accomplishments and exchange techniques for overcoming obstacles. The message was clear: such forums such as the Women in Law Forum are critical in empowering the next generation of women in law, allowing them to actively engage and define the future of the profession. The day culminated with a rooftop networking session, during which attendees continued to debate the issues covered.