WIP Chapters Survey Women’s Representation in Peru and Celebrate Leadership in Mexico

Panelists speak during an event presenting the results of WIP Peru’s survey on women’s representation in Peruvian law firms, November 24, 2023. Photo credit: WIP Perú

On November 24, Peruvian chapter WIP Perú presented the results of its “2023 Survey on the Presence and Professional Growth of Female Lawyers in Leading Legal Firms.” The study, conducted and analyzed by Datum Internacional, collected data from 45 law firms in Peru, which were selected based on their inclusion in high-profile legal databases such as the Legal 500.

The event began with an overview of the survey results, followed by an engaging panel discussion moderated by Patricia Brocos, Legal Director at Credicorp Capital and a member of WIP Perú’s Medimos Committee, which analyzes and reports on the gender gap and challenges for women in the legal profession. The panelists – independent arbitrator  Gianna Macchiavello; Anabeli Gonzalez, Deputy General Manager – Legal Services at BBVA Peru;  Veronica Arbulu, Legal and Corporate Affairs Manager at Statkraft Perú; and María Teresa Quiñones Alayza, founder of Quiñones Alayza Abogados – noted the need to conduct such surveys on a regular basis to monitor growth and maintain an active database.  

Attendees at the launch of WIP Perú’s “2023 Survey on the Presence and Professional Growth of Female Lawyers in Leading Legal Firms” in Lima, November 24, 2023. Photo credit: WIP Perú

This survey is an important element of the Peruvian chapter’s ongoing effort to understand the demographics and statistics of female lawyers in the country, particularly the representation of female lawyers in leadership and partnership positions. Notably, the survey found that there has been little meaningful progress toward gender parity at the upper levels of law firms – women currently account for 33% of partners, the same percentage as in 2018.   

The event organizers and speakers emphasized the need to call public attention to these concerning results and for law firms to consider the restrictions and structural challenges that might be causing this stagnation. The full results of the survey are available here. 

Almost 600 people attended the annual AbogadasMX leadership and professional development workshop, held in Mexico City, November 10, 2023. Photo credit: AbogadasMX

Earlier in November, the Mexican WIP chapter AbogadasMX held its annual leadership and professional development workshop. More than 580 people attended this year’s edition on November 10, entitled “Trajectories: The Power of a Transformative Environment.” The all-day workshop focused on exploring the influence of work environments on the evolution of professional legal careers, featuring panels and presentations on topics including entrepreneurship, successful mindsets, resilience, and holistic development, from speakers including former Mexican ambassador to the United States Martha Bárcena, and keynote speaker and social psychologist Dr. Amy Cuddy. 

Women in the Profession, one of the Vance Center’s flagship programs, aims to promote the advancement of women in the legal profession. It currently has 22 active chapters in 21 countries across Latin America and sub-Saharan Africa. 

Members of Mexican WIP chapter AbogadasMX and attendees at the organization’s leadership and professional development workshop, held in Mexico City, November 10, 2023. Photo credit: AbogadasMX