By Politico staff writer
The Institute of African Women in Law on its "Amandla! Women to Watch Edition", has featured the President of the Sierra Leone Bar Association, Michaela Eddinia Swallow Esq.
The "Amandla! Women to Watch Edition" is part of the African Women in Law Speaker Series that aims to amplify the achievements and stories of African women in law. The Series is also a collection of short stories on women's achievements, challenges, resistance, resilience and solidarity.
Michaela Eddinia Swallow Esq. is the first Sierra Leonean female legal practitioner to be featured by the Institute of African Women in Law in its "Amandla! Women to Watch Edition". According to the Institute, through this project, the Institute of African Women in Law hopes to inspire, encourage and provide hope for future generations of young women across the globe. The institute has also featured several distinguished women in law across the continent from South Africa, Ghana, Nigeria, Zambia, Senegal, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Kenya and Tanzania to Zimbabwe.
Narrating her story, Michaela Eddinia Swallow Esq. said at her early age she wanted to be a children's doctor, caring for babies but that her encounter with injustice changed her career path.
“However, an encounter with injustice, taught me how seriously the law and access to justice can change lives."
Narrating her experience as a female lawyer and a mother, being in a male dominated profession has never been an issue for her because she had learnt early on that her voice is as strong as she wants it to be.
“However, raising children and building my career have been really challenging.
The legal profession demands both hard work and time; hence the art of balancing this with raising kids is no mean feat. How do you stay focused when your child is ill or needs homework done, but you need to review a contract or write an opinion? As women, our role as primary caregivers is a disincentive to our career growth,” she said
Copyright © 2021 Politico Online
