ICAM lawyers warn equality gains must not be taken for granted
por magalí sica
Equality in the legal profession has advanced over the past decades, but those who have worked for it for years warn that it is not a definitive achievement.
This was one of the key messages that emerged during the 13th Women Lawyers Summit, organized by the Madrid Bar Association (ICAM), where representatives from the legal, academic and business sectors gathered to reflect on the role of women in decision-making spaces.
During the event, ICAM’s Vice Dean Isabel Winkels issued a clear warning about the current moment.
“We must avoid moments of setback,” she said during her speech, referring to the need to protect the progress achieved in terms of equality.
Her words resonated throughout a day that made it clear that, although the path traveled by women in recent decades has been intense, it is not yet definitive. The rights that have been gained came after years of constant struggle, and despite the progress made, many agree that this is not the time to lower our guard or take those achievements for granted.
Beyond the awards presented during the ceremony, the event focused on something deeper: the journey of women in professions historically dominated by men and the challenges that still remain.
Many of the women who presented their candidacies and projects did not expect the recognition. When speaking with some of them, the surprise was still evident. For some, receiving such a distinction seemed almost hard to imagine.
Pilar Menor, still visibly moved an hour after the ceremony, shared the mixture of happiness and astonishment she felt upon receiving the award. For her, the recognition represented not only a personal achievement, but also a symbol of something greater: the silent effort of many women who work every day to open new spaces.
Even women with strong professional trajectories, years of study and consolidated careers still question whether they truly deserve to be there. A sign that, beyond the visible progress, there is still a long way to go before all women can see themselves as capable of reaching as far as they wish.
During the summit, Carolina López de Pablo, who specializes in supporting women in vulnerable situations, also spoke about the challenges that remain ahead. In her view, one of the priorities is moving toward a system in which “justice becomes more humane,” especially for those facing complex circumstances.
In that context, the summit brought together leading figures from the legal and academic worlds who today occupy positions of leadership and, at the same time, are paving the way for new generations of female lawyers.
The summit reflected a dual reality: on one hand, the progress of women who now lead law firms, universities and major companies; on the other, the shared awareness that equality remains a work in progress.
Because, as was repeated throughout the event, the presence of women in leadership positions is not only a symbol of progress. It is also a way of ensuring that future generations find a more open path than the one that those who came before them had to navigate.
