ANHW Pakistan is hosting the “Islamabad Bar Council Elections Debate 2020: Redressing Under-representation of Women in Law”. The Islamabad Bar Council (IBC) is one of the five provincial Bar Councils in Pakistan. It is an elected statutory and deliberative body of lawyers responsible for safeguarding the rights, interests, and privileges of practicing lawyers, within the Islamabad Capital Territory. The IBC also regulates the conduct of lawyers and helps in the administration of justice. Each of the five Bar Councils elects members to the Pakistan Bar Council, the highest elected regulatory body of lawyers. The Debate will feature candidates contesting for the IBC elections, set to take place in November 2020. They will share the proposed plan of action that they intend to implement during their five-year term to remedy the glaring disparity of female representation, participation, and advancement within the legal profession.

The Debate will consist of two moderated rounds.

Round One Each Speaker will be allowed two minutes to speak about the following themes: 1. Past efforts and initiatives that they have undertaken for encouragement/uplifting of female lawyers 2. Projected steps/measures targeted at promoting increased representation and progression of female lawyers in senior professional and leadership roles 3. Plans for ensuring the safety of female legal professionals at the workplace and an effective and efficient complaints system 4. Plans for enhancing opportunities for female legal professionals to participate meaningfully in Bar councils and associations During this round, the Moderator may raise questions to any of the Speakers at any time. However, the Moderator may not interrupt a Speaker during their initial two minutes. Speakers shall have two minutes each to answer each of the Moderator’s questions.

Round Two This will be a Q & A session with the audience. Attendees may ask one question at a time from a Speaker of their choice. Speakers will be allowed two minutes to answer the questions asked. Guidelines for Online Audience 1. Members of the audience may ask a question from one Speaker at a time during Round Two. 2. Members of the audience are only allowed to ask questions. They shall not make comments, statements of support, or engage in any form of dialogue or cross-talk with the Speakers or the Moderator. 3. The Moderator reserves the right to disallow any irrelevant, insensitive, and offensive questions. 4. Please note that the event will be recorded. The attendees’ willingness to participate in the Debate will be construed as consent for purposes of online circulation of the recorded event.

To join us online, please register at anhwlahoresecretary@gmail.com