At the 24th Commonwealth Law Conference in Malta, a key highlight of today’s discussions was the Women's Roundtable on how to thrive in private practice. As one of the panelists, Faith Odhiambo, President of the Law Society of Kenya (LSK), delivered a powerful speech on the challenges faced by women in the legal profession, particularly those constrained by social expectations.
Odhiambo addressed the pressing issue of the limited spaces available for women in the existing structures of the legal field. She pointed out that while progress has been made, significant barriers remain. Women continue to face systemic hurdles that hinder their full participation and advancement in the profession. She emphasized the importance of women taking the lead in pushing for change, highlighting that the time has come for women to be at the forefront of expanding opportunities within the legal sector.
"We must not wait for change to come to us; we must actively create it," Odhiambo stated. "Through unity and innovation, we can deliberately increase the opportunities available to women in the legal profession. This is not just about securing a place for ourselves but about ensuring that we create a larger space for everyone to benefit."
She drew attention to the idea that fostering inclusivity and pushing for greater representation in law would ultimately result in a "bigger cake" — one that would provide fair and equal slices for everyone, regardless of gender. The call to action was not only for women in law but for all legal professionals to come together in solidarity to transform the profession into a more equitable and inclusive space.
The Women’s Roundtable, part of the broader conference, provided a platform for leading legal minds from around the Commonwealth to discuss strategies for overcoming gender barriers and accelerating change in the profession. Odhiambo’s remarks resonated with many in the audience, underscoring the shared responsibility to advocate for gender equity and inclusion at all levels of the legal profession.
As the Commonwealth Law Conference continues, Odhiambo’s call for unity and innovation remains a central theme, echoing the need for collective action to pave the way for more women to succeed and thrive in law.
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