Mo§smedes: Angolan women lawyers defended on Thursday in Mo§Smedes, Namibe province, the need for greater professional dignity, combating harassment, and strengthening for equal opportunities in the justice sector. This was expressed during the First Conference of Angolan Women Lawyers, an event that brought together magistrates, lawyers, academics, national and provincial councilors, as well as national and international speakers.
According to Angola Press News Agency, during the panels and roundtables, participants advocated for the creation of more effective mechanisms for preventing and reporting practices of moral and sexual harassment in professional environments, in addition to the implementation of institutional measures capable of ensuring equal opportunities in access to leadership positions. The stakeholders underlined that despite the progress made in recent years, challenges related to gender discrimination, wage inequality, and difficulties in professional affirmation for women in the Angolan legal field persist.
Suzana Inglªs, a lawyer and university professor, called for the strengthening of female solidarity and unity within the legal profession, greater representation of women in decision-making bodies, and the administration of justice. According to the jurist, the conference constitutes a space for dialogue and sharing of experiences, aiming to contribute to a more ethical, inclusive legal profession committed to human rights.
TSnia Canguia, a lawyer and national council member of the Angolan Bar Association (OAA), highlighted the need to reinforce female presence in the justice system as one of the essential paths to the consolidation of the Democratic State and the Rule of Law and to the promotion of equal opportunities in the country. She acknowledged significant progress in the inclusion of women in public and private institutions, although she warned of the persistence of discriminatory practices and limitations to career progression.
The lawyer also defended the implementation of policies that guarantee greater protection and appreciation of women in the practice of law, as well as the encouragement of women leadership in judicial decision-making spaces. The event is part of the OAA's initiatives and actions aimed at valuing the profession and strengthening women's participation in the social and legal transformation processes in Angola.