Adelayo L-Oriekun, a lawyer with 28 years experience at the Bar, the Oyo State Coordinator of the NBA Women Forum (NBAWF), is the Emeritus Vice chairman and first female Vice Chairman of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) Ibadan branch. In this interview with YEJIDE GBENGA-OGUNDARE, she speaks on efforts to address matters affecting the Nigerian female lawyers and restriction on women in the professional circle in Nigeria among others.
What is the idea behind NBAWF and what has it been able to achieve?
The NBA Women Forum (NBAWF), was established by the Nigeria Bar Association Constitution to address matters affecting Nigerian female lawyers engaged in legal practice and the wellbeing of women in Nigeria. Our goal is to empower all women within and outside the profession, by identifying and providing innovative solutions to key issues that affect them such as gender bias, gender pay gap, sexual harassment in the workplace, violence against women, gender parity and gender balance in the workplace. We have been able to ensure that we are well versed in identifying gender bias and parity, gender balance in the workplace, gender pay gap, sexual harassment in the workplace, violence against women and finding solutions through seminars and fireside chats organised by different branches of the NBAWF.
Do you think there’s a restriction on women in the professional circle in Nigeria?
I will say no. Definitely no. I don’t think so. Looking at the statistics of female law students currently in the universities across Nigeria, we are about 70 percent in most of the universities.
How easy is it for female lawyers to attain a balance?
Attaining balance is hardwork but doable. As we have to balance marriage, raising up kids and having a husband with our careers. And what works for me may not work for the other female.
Should marital status be a criteria for measuring women’s success?
Marital status is a personal decision and this shouldn’t decide success but one’s hardwork, determination and commitment to one’s career.
It is said that some men do not want their wives to have a voice, what can such women do to avoid suppression without jeopardising their home?
As a lawyer, I will advise that it is from courtship that the female law students should choose wisely. Choice of a life partner should be one that is supportive in one’s career. Having a partner that isn’t supportive usually leads to cracks in the marriage and unhappiness and tough decisions need to be made.
What are your thoughts on women having streams of income?
I believe that a woman must be financially independent and so if one has the opportunity to do other things that bring income in addition to the practice of law so far as it doesn’t contravene the rules of professional conduct, it helps in the woman being financially stable and independent.
Can women be good leaders?
Yes. We are good leaders; we run our home. We can multitask and whatever you give a woman, she multiplies it more often than not. If given the opportunity, women are good leaders.
How can women prove their worth to be seen beyond cheer leaders and sex objects?
Women must be educated, have a profession, contribute to the quota wherever she finds herself and put in the hardwork to move away from the stereotype of being a sex object.
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