Do we need EWLA? I am convinced we do. There is no way without EWLA for Women Lawyers in Europe. When we look at the original aims of EWLA, we see that these are still burning issues: the first aim was to improve the understanding of European legislation in relation to equal opportunities with particular reference to women.
We know gender equality and equal opportunities are not yet realised in the European, or national contexts. The same is true for law and politics. We, EWLA, have to highlight this - to make it evident and we have to show how equality should be realised on rational grounds. We can do it with the aid of our members. There must be an organisation that can give women a voice. That’s why EWLA is essential for women lawyers. When women lawyers don’t fight for equality they lose it. This is the first reason why EWLA is important for European women in general and women lawyers especially.
Another aim was to bring women lawyers together from all over Europe. The founders thought of using the contacts to the national Bars, national associations of women lawyers and other organisations. Thus EWLA would be better able to be a platform for exchanging opinions, for networking, for understanding equality issues in an international context.
That’s why it is worthwhile for national women lawyers’ organisations. It can serve as a platform, business contacts as well as personal contacts and friendships. This is essential in a world where borders lose more and more of their former functions. Come to our conferences! They are motivating. Find colleagues, find friends and find business partners. The more women lawyers use EWLA as a platform, the better EWLA functions as a “think tank”.
We cannot afford to give up opportunities for more equality and more networking. This is EWLA.
Regula Kägi-Diener, Vice-President of EWLA