By Onoriode Etatsemi.
Mr. Isaiah Bozimo, the Honourable Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice Delta State, has commended the Forum of Nigerian Women Lawyers (NBAWF) for their initiative in coming together as a group.
The Attorney-General stated this while delivering his speech on the occasion of the inaugural meeting of the Forum held at Asaba recently.
The Attorney-General state that the legal profession is sometimes perceived as being hostile to family and leisure time, as lawyers are continually faced with the challenges of work-life balance, workspace culture and career development and this was even more so for female lawyers
Bozimo stated that the creation of the Women Forum by the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), has brought together female lawyers as well as law students across the country to develop their skills and advocate for change in the legal profession and the society at large.
He encouraged the forum to work with law firms and credible institutions to introduce or review work life balance -related policies in order to retain female talent, vis-a-vis work to encourage all legal workspaces to improve the overall workspace culture within their organisations.
The Delta State leader, Nigerian Bar Association Women Forum, Mrs Augustina Ojenika-Harrison, in her speech stated that it was more tasking on the female lawyers, especially with the hormonal and emotional issues, adding that the event was organised to address issues affecting female lawyers in their bid to excel and get to the apex of their profession, whether as singles, married, separated, or widowed.
Others who spoke, included the state NBA Chairman, the House of Assembly PDP Candidate for Oshimili South, Mrs Bridget Anyafulu, and representatives of the International Federation of Female Lawyers, (FIDA) Asaba.
They encouraged female lawyers to ensure that they settle the home front while pursuing their legal career, and to read widely, assert themselves clearly, plan ahead, employ the principles of division of labour and to network with more knowledgeable people or groups in order to succeed.
The event with the theme, “Legal Practice and Life Balance”, featured a lecture on Legal Practice and Work Balance where the rules to attaining balance amidst the busy schedule of the female lawyer were highlighted.
