Women – the soft infrastructure that built the world as we know it
By Ira Garbers - Stellenbosch University “Women belong in all places where decisions are being made. It shouldn't be that women are the exception. As women achieve power, the barriers will fall. As society sees what women can do, as women see what women can do, there...
Woman who was denied in the legal practice
By Claudine Otto - Varsity College (Pretoria Campus) Cynthia Grant Bowman stated that women are described as a paradox when it comes to the legal profession. The contradicting descriptions between a “woman” and a “lawyer”. Shall she walk and talk right? Sit up...
A NEW CENTURY, BUT THE SAME PROBLEMS FOR WOMEN IN THE LEGAL FIELD
by Rashmika Singh - Varsity College (Westville, KwaZulu-Natal) Introduction It was only in the late 20th century that black women were allowed entry into the legal profession. Before then, women were not considered to be “persons” for the purpose of legislation. After...
Unveiling her gavel: Women in law rewriting history
By Lebogang Mchunu - Wits University 1. Introduction Magdelin Wookey, Constance Mary Hall, Gladys Steyn, Leonora van den Heever, Navanethem Pillay, Desiree Finca, Yvonne Mokgoro, Kate O’Reagan, Lucy Mailula, Mandisa Maya and Shamila Batohi these are some of the names...
Women’s denial of admission to the legal profession in South Africa
By Mavhungu Dakalo - Wits University The earliest case relating to the admission of women in the legal profession in South Africa is the Schelein v incorporated case. This case was about an application by Sonya Schlein to compel the Law Society to register her...
A Century of Resilience: Women Pioneers Shattering the Barriers of Justice
By Cheryl Zulu - Varsity College (Pretoria Campus) “In a world that wants me to whisper, I will scream.” – Luvvie Ajayi In the grand tapestry of history, where tales of progress and struggle interweave, there lies a chapter of courage and determination that deserves...
REFLECTING BACK IN AN ERA CHARACTERISED BY MASSIVE GENDER INEQUALITY PARTICULARY IN THE LEGAL PROFESSION IN SOUTH AFRICA: AN ENGAGEMENT WITH SCHLESIN V INCORPORATES LAW SOCIETY 1909 TS 363 AND INCORPORATES LAW SOCIETY V WOOKEY 1912 AD 623
By Kwanele Mazibuko - University of KwaZulu-Natal In Schlesin v Incorporated law society, the matter before the court was the question of whether a woman could be admitted as an attorney in terms of section 11 of the Administration of Justice Proclamation and...
The Trials and Tribulations for the Existence of Women in the Legal Profession
By Qiniso Radebe - UNISA (Durban Campus) The rise and recognition of women in the legal fraternity came after a long and an intense ‘tug-of-war' in the 20th century. Prior to going in-depth, it would be fair and of utmost importance to highlight the lamentable...