By CHUSA SICHONE –

BANK of Zambia (BoZ) deputy governor of administration Tukiya Kankasa-Mabula has won the 2014 International Bar Association (IBA) outstanding female lawyer award.

The award is given in recognition of professional excellence, influencing other women to pursue careers in law and advancing opportunities for women within the legal profession.
 The IBA award, which is given biennially and is sponsored by LexisNexis, includes a US$5,000 to be donated to a charity of the winner’s choice.

The presentation of the award will take place at the forthcoming sixth IBA World Women Lawyers’ Conference in Paris, France next month.
IBA Section on Public and Professional Interest and Women Lawyers’ Interest Group past chairperson Gabrielle Williamson, who was among the panel of judges, said Dr Kankasa-Mabula’s resourcefulness and passion were embedded characteristics shared by many of the nominees for the IBA 2014 award.

Dr Kankasa-Mabula was elated at the award, saying it had motivated her to do more so as to continue inspiring other women.

“I am mindful that I am a role model for many young women, I endeavour to always conduct myself in a manner worthy of emulation. It is not enough to merely exist; one’s life must positively impact the lives of others.

“The message I often impart to colleagues and younger lawyers is to never compromise our professional and personal integrity,” she said.

Law Association of Zambia honorary secretary Linda Kasonde in the nomination letter described Dr Kankasa-Mabula as having used her Harvard University and University of London law degrees to selflessly educate law students at the University of Zambia for 18 years.

IBA is the world’s leading organisation of international legal practitioners, bar associations and law societies.
It influences the development of international law reform and shapes the future of the legal profession worldwide through its global membership of individual lawyers, law firms, bar associations and law societies.