International Women's Day 2024: What Can We Do To Celebrate Diversity?

• Published date: 31 March 2024
• Subject Matter: Corporate/Commercial Law, Law Department Performance, Workflow and Workload Management , Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
• Law Firm: Walkers
• Author: Walkers

Diversity isn't just a buzzword - it's a crucial aspect of any DEI strategy. As part of our IWD 2024 series, we're looking at how we can celebrate diversity here at Walkers, with four employees sharing their experiences, ideas and visions for the future with us.

We discussed a range of topics, including how motherhood has shaped their careers, intersectionality and how we can all promote diversity across Walkers. Each had a unique take on ways to integrate diversity into our daily lives - let's get started.

How mothers can thrive at work

Myra Ali, Walkers Professional Services team manager in our Dubai office, sees motherhood as a personal growth experience for her career. "Raising children involves constant learning and adaptation which can lead to personal growth and development as we navigate challenges in our professional life," she commented. She credits being a parent as the key to her improved decision-making and prioritising skills.

Tseda Simmons, finance support assistant in the Bermuda office, is a mother of three - and finds raising kids while working can be a catch-22 situation at times. "There seems to be a misconception that children bring chaos to our lives, and it's impossible to focus on anything else. On the other hand, there's the pressure that mothers should focus solely on raising their children rather than their career."

How does she manage the juggle? Her support network, at home and at work, is everything. "I know that with the right support, we as women can overcome the impossible," Tseda added.

How our firm has evolved

Omonike Robinson-Pickering, a Finance and Corporate partner in the British Virgin Islands (BVI), and Ify Mgbatogu, operations manager in our London office, are both longstanding members of Walkers. They've seen first-hand the positive strides Walkers has made in creating a more diverse and inclusive environment, having both previously navigated the challenges of sometimes being the only black women in the room.

Having worked in four of our offices around the world, Omonike took the chance to reframe the situation throughout her career. "Rather than focusing on the fact that being a black woman placed me in the minority in an office, I saw it as an opportunity to share my lived experience and learn from others."

Ify says she felt alone at some points in her career. "I didn't have readily available peers and mentors who shared my experiences," she said, but she didn't let it stand in her way. "I learned to...