Hi everyone!
I’m Andrea, the Social Justice Assistant Director for 2025 with the Notre Dame Sydney Law
Society (NDSLS). Today, we celebrate a momentous day in the calendar, International
Women’s Day (IWD), with this year's theme being ‘Accelerate Action’. This theme focuses
on emphasising ‘swift and decisive steps’ in amending gender inequalities, calling for greater
action to generate change.
As law students, whether we’re just starting our degrees or well into them, I believe we all
share a passion in advocating for current issues and helping those who may struggle to
advocate for themselves. IWD is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the positive
contributions and achievements of women worldwide, whilst also highlighting the barriers
that many women still face that demand attention and action.
On behalf of the NDSLS, I want to take this time to share with you specifically how women
have contributed to and shaped the law profession, and the tireless work that continues in
ensuring that women’s rights are protected and enforced.
Women in the Law Profession
Within the law profession, the presence of female solicitors continues to rise. This is highly
inspiring and motivating as a once male-dominated field begins to see women become more
included. In 2023, the Law Society of NSW’s Annual Profile outlined that female solicitors
outnumbered male solicitors for the seventh consecutive year. Further, of all NSW solicitors,
55% were female. The strong female presence within the law profession is a direct reflection
of how far society has evolved and the many gender-stereotypical barriers that have been
broken along the way.
The first major breakthrough for women in law was 1902, where Ada Evans was the first
Australian woman to graduate with a Bachelor of Laws. Unfortunately, she faced many
challenges in beginning her career as a practising lawyer, despite her education. However,
nineteen years after completing her Bachelors, Ada was admitted to the NSW Bar and
offered work soon after. Ada’s story and career are a testament to the difficult path women
have endured in emerging into the law profession but also show an immense sense of spirit
and determination.
Unfortunately, like Ada, women in the twenty-first century still face many injustices that
require action. Particularly, in roles of leadership and power, women continue to be
underrepresented compared to their male colleagues. The Australian Institute of Judicial
Administration’s ‘Gender Statistics’ (2024) stated that in NSW, out of 293 judicial officers,
just 127 were women. This statistic showcases a continued underrepresentation of women
in higher-up roles within the legal world. Although, with the rise of women practising law, it is
hopeful that this figure may grow in the coming years.
Women And Girls Emergency Centre
NDSLS have had the privilege in the past to work alongside and support The Women And
Girls Emergency Centre (WAGEC), an organisation with a passion for advocating and
assisting women and families in times of crisis. Based in Redfern, Sydney, WAGEC supports
around two hundred women and children every night who are significantly impacted by
homelessness, domestic violence, and systemic disadvantage. In light of IWD, this
organisation reflects one of the incredible ways that women have positively impacted the
world we live in, using their education and voice to protect those most vulnerable. The
mission of WAGEC is also one that greatly embodies the theme for IWD and one that has
inspired our community at Notre Dame. This year, the NDSLS proudly supports them again
in this crucial and topical mission through upcoming fundraising events.
If you would like to know more about WAGEC’s mission and services, please visit their website.
Once again, Happy International Women’s Day!
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