THE WOMEN IN MINING ISSUE | MARCH 2020
LEGISLATION
Women in mining law It is widely accepted that the legal profession, specifically in the mining industry, is still a largely male-led space, writes Ntsiki Adonisi-Kgame.
T
his fact presents the women in these areas with many barriers, but also countless opportunities. Women in the legal profession face numerous issues, which include: underrepresentation of females at senior levels; inconsistent allocation of work; inadequate exposure; unequal pay with male counterparts; lack of promotion and business development opportunities; and failure to retain woman attorneys, particularly women with children.
Women tend to work while on maternity leave in order to remain relevant and manage competition. Furthermore, female associates consistently complain about the absence of female leadership in law firms, which feeds into their inability to conceptualise a long-term future in the law firms.
Shattering stereotypes Notwithstanding the various challenges faced by female practitioners, there are many opportunities for women in the legal industry. As a female mining
Ntsiki Adonisi-Kgame is an executive: Natural Resources and Environment Department, ENSafrica
29
