By Kgomotso Ramotsho

The founders of Women in Law Awards (WOZA), Rehana Khan Parker and Asha Singhania have teamed up with Laura Morwesi Dlepu to form the Women in Law and Leadership Academy (WILA). WILA focusses on addressing topics such as, financial wellness, skills deficit, transformation in the profession and skewed briefing patterns confronting female legal practitioners. WILA was formed in 2020 and its first workshop was held on 26 January in Gauteng. In a statement, WILA states that the organisation is committed to strengthening the opportunities and visibility of female legal practitioners by augmenting their professional skills through continuous bespoke legal education and training thereby accelerating gender balanced representation.

The statement added that WILA is committed to the furtherance of gender parity, diversity, inclusion and the uplifting of female legal practitioners in the legal profession. The statement said that WILA will provide legal education and training, to build the professional capacity of female legal practitioners with both specialised court training and practical legal skills and business acumen to manage daily practice for the purpose of improving their productivity and professionalism.

Among other things, the statement pointed out that WILA will aim to assist female legal practitioners to unlock their potential and realise their leadership ambitions. The organisation also aims to inspire female legal practitioners in reaching excellence. WILA pointed out that paramount to their strategy is to develop a sisterhood that recognises the challenges female legal practitioners face in all areas of law and to close the training and educational gaps to help level the playing fields. The organisation added that its vision includes promoting professional excellence, and developing dynamic, innovative female legal practitioners, change makers, trailblazers and future leaders.

Kgomotso Ramotsho Cert Journ (Boston) Cert Photography (Vega) is the news reporter at De Rebus.