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Sara Carnegie, Director-Legal Policy and Research Unit and Isla Tobin, Project Lawyer - Legal Policy & Research Unit, International Bar Association (IBA) talk to Legal Women UK about:
Gender Parity in the Legal Profession – a Longitudinal Global Initiative.
The International Bar Association (IBA), in collaboration with the LexisNexis Rule of Law Foundation, launched the "50:50 by 2030" project in 2021. This nine-year global initiative is directed at exploring the lack of gender parity across all levels of the legal profession, with a focus on those in senior positions, with the aim of identifying themes and making recommendations in accordance with its findings by 2030, aligning with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 5 on gender equality.
Phase 1: Assessing the Landscape (2021–2024)
To date, the IBA has conducted comprehensive studies across 12 countries: England and Wales, Uganda, Spain, Nigeria, the Netherlands, Chile, Brazil, the Republic of Korea, Mexico, Ukraine, Türkiye, and Taiwan, in addition to working in collaboration with DLA Piper and their New Perimeter pro bono entity on a case study in Nepal.
The project Progress Report, published in December 2024, revealed that, on average, women constitute 47% of lawyers but only 38% of senior legal professionals across the surveyed jurisdictions. Notably, Ukraine, Türkiye, the Netherlands and Nigeria reported the highest percentages of women in senior roles, with Türkiye achieving 47% female representation in senior positions. Conversely, South Korea had the lowest representation, with women comprising only 29% of lawyers and 20% in senior roles.
The report also highlighted significant disparities between the overall number of female lawyers and those in senior positions. For instance, Chile exhibited a 26% drop from overall female representation to senior roles, Spain a 23% drop, and England and Wales a 19% drop.
In terms of initiatives to promote gender equality, coaching and mentoring programs, leadership training for women, and flexible working arrangements were among the most popular and perceived as effective. However, unconscious bias training, despite being less popular, was also seen as effective. Quota setting for senior roles was the least popular initiative but where used, was effective.
Phase 2: Amplifying Women's Voices (Launched March 2025)
In recognition of International Women's Day, on 8 March 2025 the IBA launched Phase 2 of the project. This phase focuses on gathering qualitative data through a global survey targeting female legal practitioners, including lawyers, judges, and barristers, regardless of age or career stage. The anonymous survey seeks to understand personal experiences, obstacles faced, reasons for staying or leaving the profession, and opinions on the effectiveness of various initiatives.
The survey is available in 4 languages (English, French, Portuguese, and Spanish). It covers topics such as the impact of menopause and caregiving responsibilities on women’s careers. The insights gathered from the survey will inform future strategies to promote gender equality in the legal profession.
Looking Ahead
In-country research is now underway in additional jurisdictions, including Australia, Canada, Singapore and South Africa, which should be finalised by the end of 2025.
By combining quantitative data from Phase 1 with qualitative insights from Phase 2, the "50:50 by 2030" project aims to identify effective strategies and initiatives to overcome barriers to women's advancement in the legal field. The IBA encourages female legal professionals worldwide to participate in the survey and contribute to this transformative initiative.
For more information and to participate in the survey, please click HERE, visit the IBA's official website or scan the QR code below.
Isla Tobin
