Russian Women in Arbitration (RWA) is an independent initiative started in 2019 to unite Russian-speaking female lawyers in the field of international arbitration. The goals of RWA are to serve as a platform for communication and exchange of experience, discuss the challenges faced by women practicing arbitration in Russia and abroad, and raise awareness of gender equality issues.
I learned about RWA through its scholarship program for rising stars in arbitration, which RWA launched in 2021. As part of this program, I wrote an essay on unconscious biases in the appointment of female arbitrators. During the preparation, I took the Harvard Implicit Association Test to identify stereotypes in the perception of gender roles. The test showed that I was still guided by ingrained beliefs in certain aspects that could lead to decisions unfavorable to gender balance. That’s when I realized how important it was to identify when you are acting under the influence of such beliefs.
Ultimately, I realized that the goals of RWA appealed to me, and in 2022, I became a member of the RWA Steering Committee. Since then, I have been assisting in the implementation of various projects aimed at increasing the visibility of women building successful careers in arbitration in Russia and abroad. Just in 2024, we held 12 events, including the first international event during the Dubai Arbitration Week. For more information on RWA events, please visit the RWA website.
In May 2025, RWA will launch a new scholarship program in partnership with KKMP and LGP. The program aims to support talented young women practicing law in international arbitration and female students who strive to develop professionally in this area.
Stay tuned for updates!