“Lead, Inspire, Transform” Batonnieres du Monde (“BdM”) Conference
Geneva, 11th-13th October 2026
Meeting up with Women Bar Chairs and former Chairs from across the globe this week was another memorable and special occasion.
We began with a Board meeting at the Maison des Avocats, Geneva Bar Association followed by our Conference at the FER Auditorium. We examined issues including Violence against women (with an inspiring speech by Fawzia Koofi, former Afghan Minister who was first shot by the Taliban and recently had her home seized, her plea for recognition of what is happening to Afghan women and girls brought the audience to their feet in applause), AI and how women are being and will be affected and how men are allies in the quest for equality . Workshops followed covering Leadership, Mental Health and Promoting Equality.
My workshop, alongside the former Dallas Bar Chair Vicki Blanton, focussed on addressing the gender pay gap, pointing to transparency and monitoring to identify disparity and to information and negotiation as tools to effect change.
After a day of education we visited the Jet d’Eau at the harbour where, just for the BdM, it was lit up in violet! Then followed a great meal and conversation.
The following day our AGM or General Assembly took place at the Museum of the Red Cross (next to the ICRC). With enthusiastic discussion and agreement the work of the day was completed before a thought-provoking tour of the Museum by the Director, Pascal Hufschmid.
Finally in the afternoon we met with the Director General of the United Nations, Tatiana Valovaya and discussed with her our mission as lawyers to intervene in matters affecting women’s rights and to promote women’s equality and leadership. She told us her story of having to side-step in her career as a journalist taking opportunities as they presented themselves that opportunities as they presented themselves that lead her to the UN.
These two days proved to be encouraging, full of contemplation and ideas but most of all it was the perfect opportunity to forge stronger bonds with female friends and meet new ones. It is clear that as the Association grows (more than doubling its members since last year) we are strengthening our resolve to promote womens’ rights and equality in these difficult geo-political times.
(Tana Adkin KC is Deputy Head of 15NBS Chambers and the Secretary General of the Batonnieres du Monde, Paris)
