Malaysian lawyer makes global news for International Women’s Day

An inspirational Malaysian lawyer’s story has made global headlines after she was featured as a notable figure and role-model by the BBC in honor of International Women’s Day.

Hanim Hamzah is the regional managing partner for ASEAN law firm ZICO, and was born in a small town near Ipoh. She candidly admits that growing up, she was not always placed in the best classes, nor was she the typical “nerd-type student in school.”

With “tenacity and a fair share of hardship,” in addition to wanting to make her parents proud, she managed to break through the glass ceiling for women seeking senior leadership positions in law firms to get to where she is today.

When asked who the most important female figures her life are, she cited both her mother and grandmother. Her mother ran away from home at a young age to escape an arranged marriage, and to seek out further studies. She described her paternal grandmother as a domestic worker, who managed to raise six children alone. Both are cited as having immeasurable impact on her life.

Refreshingly, Hanim speaks about the need to have a work-life balance, and emphasizes the roll of physical activity in her everyday life. Running the occasional marathon or half-marathon when she can, she will also make time in the early morning to go for a run. “It also helps with the jet lag,” as she travels frequently for work.

Another important activity outside of work is music. Hanim is a jazz vocalist, and has a quartet that she performs in regularly,

[Ed. note: Hi, can we be friends?]

She says that while there is a long way to go for equality in the workplace, opportunities for women are growing, and movements such as #MeToo are important and timely in addressing long-standing issues of sexual harassment.

Her sage words of advice on this day: speak out, make time for your interest, and most importantly, find your passions in life.



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