WOMEN IN LAW JOURNAL 2nd Issue is published

At a time when gender equality in the legal profession is marked by both progress and backlash, the Women in Law Initiative proudly presents the second issue of its Journal. This issue brings together a diverse range of perspectives that offer practical and critical insights into the systemic barriers women in law continue to face across different jurisdictions and professional contexts worldwide.

Across the six articles published, several thematic threads emerge. A first set of contributions explores the challenges women face in taking on social and extrajudicial roles alongside their legal careers. Omnia Taher Gadalla examines the situation of female judges in Egypt, highlighting how institutional restrictions, societal expectations, and legislation can limit their engagement beyond the courtroom. Similarly, Amanda Schneeberger and Franziska Schreier draw on interviews with women in law in Austria and globally, to show how leadership expectations, care responsibilities, and visibility pressures intersect to shape career progression and reinforce structural inequalities within the profession.

A second thematic focus addresses the growing role of technology and data in shaping legal and societal realities. Selen Yakar investigates how the use of language influences algorithmic decision-making, showing how gender-neutral language can help reduce bias in AI systems. Complementing this perspective, Beate Wimmer-Puchinger, Sophia Kral and Lea Maier examine women’s health data, highlighting the potential of digital tools to empower women in monitoring their health while also drawing attention to the associated privacy risks and the reinforcement of gendered expectations.

A third focus centers on legal and political frameworks. Nida Usman Chaudhary analyses welfare and protection laws for lawyers in Pakistan, highlighting the lack of a gender-sensitive perspective and the need for policies that reflect the lived experiences of female lawyers. In a broader political context, Miriam Christa and Anna Lena Rünzler examine the effects of Trump-era executive orders targeting Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion programs, detailing the resulting backlash and its implications for workplaces, with a particular focus on the legal profession.

The articles in this issue offer a multifaceted view of the challenges and opportunities shaping women’s experiences in law today. Through practical insights, interviews, and scholarly analysis, this issue continues the mission of the Women in Law Initiative: bringing together scholars, practitioners, students, and allies, and inviting them to reflect on and contribute to a more inclusive, equitable, and just legal profession.

Written by: Adèle Aucouturier

Our 2nd edition is now available.
Click here – and read online!