Ten years qualified and now resident partner at Mena Chambers Bahrain law firm, Aysha is a passionate woman who puts her all into her work and strives to empower young female practitioners in the Kingdom and the MENA region.
But, though her speciality is international arbitration and high claim litigation, which has taken her round the globe, there’s another aspect of her career, aside from the standard 12-hour days, that she takes equally seriously – awareness of the impact of her actions.
She explains: “I think people underestimate the relevance and importance of their own presence in a given situation. Our actions and reactions form the framework of society and culture. We define what is acceptable and what is not. I think we are all guilty of viewing our lives and careers in a very simplistic and monotonous way, but we should all be conscious of the impact of our thoughts and actions. For lawyers, that’s even more important.”
She was influenced to join the profession by her father, explaining: “He’s not a lawyer but he is the epitome of integrity, morality and honesty. He sacrificed a lot of things because he believes in his cause. He raised me with high principles and ethics and more importantly a sense of collective responsibility. He taught me at a young age how one life can affect another and why it is important for us as humans to work together towards achieving our collective goals. I believe any person can make a change by creating disruptions and challenging norms.
Of her support for women both personally and professionally, she says: “Every woman should speak up and express her thoughts. Fill the room with your presence and be proud of it. It is important that women support each other and have a voice.”
She adds that, having become increasingly interested in women’s issues and how they are treated in the region, she began researching groups working towards women’s empowerment. “I discovered that they were all addressing the issue in the context of women in the traditional role within the family,” says Aysha. “That’s fine, but women are more than just wives and mothers. I wanted to tackle the issue from a wider perspective. I wanted to start from a human perspective beyond typical social structures”
She believes part of the problem is within the education system which she claims doesn’t inspire students, particularly girls, to question, wonder and imagine. Adding: “Even when women are allowed to imagine, they think within the terms imposed by society – being a good mother, a good wife – why can’t a woman just be a brilliant philosopher, maybe a brilliant inventor or [tongue in cheek] a great lawyer?
“Every woman should speak up and express her thoughts. Fill the room with your presence and be proud of it”
“Despite the Kingdom’s reputation as one of the most liberal in the Gulf, women are still facing challenges and discrimination. What’s striking to me is that women don’t seem to be aware of it and they just ‘settle’. My message to all women is ‘The only limits are those of your own imagination. Be aware of your freedom. Believe in it and embrace it. Don’t just settle for the norm’.”
Aysha is proud of the work done at Mena Chambers Bahrain and continues: “We provide a platform for the professional and personal development of young female practitioners in Bahrain. We support and hire women in the firm as part of our contribution towards bridging the gender gap.”
The company provides internships to the University of Bahrain and Royal University for Women and allows students access to its legal library. Students also learn about the potential career paths in law through their experience at the firm. Aysha provides mentorship to a number of students and assists as part of the mentorship committee for the Middle East Pre Vis Moot Arbitration Competition.
She concludes: “I think we all have to take responsibility for trying to inspire and more importantly be a positive change in society, and that’s what we’re trying to do.”
