In 2020, we celebrated the First Centennial that women have been admitted to study and practice law in many „Western" countries. They play a vital role in all legal professions but are still underrepresented in most of them.

The course "Women in Law - Contemporary Issues" analyzes the current situation of women in legal professions and raises awareness in female students and male allies for challenges and obstacles women face in their legal careers. We will embed the dicussion on gender in a broad perspective on diversity and explicitly invite students of all genders to join us. 

It focuses on 4 areas, which will be discussed in an interdisciplinary setting:

1. Women’s rights are human rights 
   • The importance of international treaties for the protection and global advancement of women with a special focus on the Istanbul Convention and CEDAW. 
   • Why are CEDAW and the Istanbul Convention relevant for women* in law? We will discuss the status of implementation and legislative proposals, their current and future impact on women* (in law), and strategies for sustainable and effective enforcement on a global level. 
2. New work 
   • digitization, automation, AI, work-life-blending, collaboration, remote work, agility – Quo vadis, (women* in the) legal professions? 
   • How will we shape the future of work in the legal professions? Which role will women* play in the implementation of new work? How can companies in the legal world become more, open-minded, agile, efficient, and innovative? How can women* in law combine professional development with personal growth? 
3. Microaggressions and micro discriminations 
   • Eliminating microaggressions as a way to achieve gender equality in the legal professions. 
   • Microaggressions are oftentimes unintentional, subtle, casual, everyday behaviors and interactions that communicate bias and send denigrating messages to members of a marginalized group (e.g., people of color, women*, LGBTQI+). They are hurtful and notoriously difficult to confront because the sender of the message often does not intend to harm and is unaware of the psychological toll these seemingly small offenses take. We will discuss the detrimental effects such as the lowering of work productivity and problem-solving abilities of microassaults, microinsults, and microinvalidations in the workplace and help raise self-awareness through information and practical guidance. 
4. Remaining at the top 
   • They have shattered glass ceilings, overcome bias, put in more work and hours than everyone else to reach their goals. Now, how do these women at the top defend and hold their well-earned positions? 
   • While there are still too few women in leadership positions, those who have finally shattered glass ceilings and reached the top are faced with the daunting challenge of remaining there. How do you become an agent of change and support other women*? How do you not get caught in the “double bind”? How do you cope with over-burdening? How do you find and unapologetically embrace your personal leadership style? Successful women* in executive positions discuss their personal development and share their insights on becoming and staying successful.

Through in-depth analysis of the current situation of women* in legal professions on a global scale, students' awareness of biases will be raised and the application of best-practice tools discussed. 

Students will be enabled to identify and combat unfair treatment and discrimination based on gender and other intersectional criteria.

This class is held in English. Students will hone their general and Legal English skills by actively participating in group discussions, giving a presentation and receiving peer and teachers' feedback for the improvement of their language and presentation skills. 

regular presence (in both online and in-person sessions)

select topics in the focus areas

presence, presentation (45%), short paper (= handout) (30%), and active participation (25%)

none

come with an open mind and an interest in the topic(s)

please contact Jasmin Malekpour-Augustin: jasmin.malekpour-augustin@wu.ac.at