Woman in law Interview with Safura Abdool Karim

We chat to public health lawyer, Safura Abdool Karim, whose research has been at the forefront of the legal developments duringthis Covid-19 pandemic. Safura completed an LLB at the University of Cape Town and thereafter an LLM in Global Health Law at Georgetown University. She is currently pursuing her PhD in Law at the University of KwaZulu-Natal on constitutional rights and non-communicable diseases.

Prior to joining PRICELESS SA, Safura had practiced corporate law, worked on plain packaging and advertising laws for tobacco control and was a clerk to Justice Leona Theron at the Constitutional Court of South Africa.

Her work focuses on prevention and control of non-communicable diseases through the use of legal and policy mechanisms as well as using the law to improve health outcomes more broadly. She is also a 2020 Aspen New Voices Fellow.

Below is our interview with the phenomenal woman in law!

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FWIL:

What inspired you to study law?

SAK:

I grew with parents who were activists and public health researchers who always emphasised the need to work to improve the lives of others. Initially I thought I would become a doctor. As I grew older, I learnt how laws could limit access to things like medications and healthcare services but also how lawyers could fix these problems. I think the Treatment Action Campaign case for access to nevirapine was the biggest contributor to my decision to become a lawyer.

FWIL:

You previously practiced Corporate Law. Why did you choose to leave corporate?

SAK:

I enjoyed my time in practice a lot but to be honest, I hadn’t intended to stay in corporate law for a very long time.  When I was in university I was considering a couple different options and in particular I wanted to go to Legal Aid. A mentor advised me that articles would be an important learning experience and, at the firm I chose, article clerks could be seconded to Legal Aid for one of their rotations. I didn’t think I would make it into a big private firm but when I got the offer to go the firm, I decided to take up the opportunity.  I managed to get tons of regulatory and transaction experience but best of all, I also got to be a public defender so I achieved everything I wanted to. It was a wonderful two and a half years and I would recommend the experience to anyone – without that training I’m not sure I would able to do half of what I do now.

FWIL:

You are currently pursuing a PhD in Law, why a specific interest in constitutional rights and non-communicable diseases?

SAK:

I wanted to work in health and law, my initially interest in law stemmed from my interest in health. I initially thought I would work on issues of access to healthcare for incarcerated persons but during my masters I got exposed to so many types of health law, it was absolutely incredible.  In particular, I started working in the tobacco control space and loved this area where law was actually a health intervention. I came back to South Africa around the time the sugar tax and it just felt like fate for me to start exploring this space.

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FWIL:

As a legal health expert, do you think that the current measures, as taken by our government, is enough to curb the spread of COVID-19?

SAK:

This is a difficult question. The reality is that there are no certain answers to the COVID-19 epidemic. It is so new and it is difficult to know what the best decisions look like. I was very grateful our government acted swiftly and prioritised public health.  At the same time, as the lockdown has continued things have become more complicated and the infringements of certain civil and political rights have become increasingly more contentious. I was surprised the government opted not to declare a state of emergency and suspend the constitution. I think this would have been a route to avoid some of the issues that are now cropping up and ensure a level of oversight.  Another thing I would mention is that we often discuss the limits on freedom of movement and dignity but on the other side of these limitation is the government’s efforts to vindicate and protect the rights to life and healthcare that are also protected under our constitution.

FWIL:

What does being an alpha female mean to you and would you describe yourself as one?

SAK:

When I started my career I felt like many successful women lawyers were either stereotyped as “dragon ladies” or “motherly figures”. This felt very uncomfortable and unfair to me. In recent years, however, I’ve met some incredible women who are leaders without needing to be overly feminine or suppress their femininity. The alpha females I meet now are empathetic, engaged and strong leaders who listen to and support those around them. This is the kind of alpha female I now aim to be.

FWIL:

Do you identify as a feminist? (Why/why not)

SAK:

I do identify as a feminist completely, I believe that women are entitled to equal opportunities but I recognise that there are systemic reasons why this is not happening. I believe that women continue to have to make difficult choices and now working in a unit that is managed and led entirely by women, I can feel how much better things can be when these issues are managed correctly and opportunities are available, particularly for women who are early in their careers.

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FWIL:

What does women empowerment mean to you?

SAK:

I think empowerment has external and internal components. Externally, we should create environments and communities that support women in what they want to achieve. More subtly, we need to create communities that allow women to dream and aim to achieve incredible things.  I was fortunate to be empowered in this way being raised by an incredible women and to be supported in this way by the amazing women I have worked under and been mentored by.

FWIL:

The journey of most legal professionals is not always easy. What are some of the lessons you have learned along the way and how have they shaped your outlook on life?

SAK:

I was once told that “when opportunity knocks it is too late to prepare” and this has been my guiding philosophy since starting law school. I don’t know what the future holds, what the world will look like 10 or 20 years from now, all I can do is equip myself with the best skills and knowledge to be ready for that opportunity when I comes. It has meant I sometimes do things I don’t absolutely love or things that do not seem to be directly related to my interests but it has been worth the sacrifice because I feel like I’ve been able to see opportunities and run with them when they come.

FWIL:

What is the best advice you would give to a woman in law?

SAK:

Recognise mentorship when it arrives and to have confidence in yourself. Sometimes mentors don’t always come in the form you expect – some of my best mentors have been people only a year or two older than me rather than the senior partner 20 years your senior. Though it can be hard, you must believe in yourself. Even the best boss and mentor in the world cannot make things happen for you if you are unable to have the confidence to take up the opportunity.

FWIL:

What recent change/amendment in the law (in your country/state) has caught your attention? (Do you agree with the change? Why/why not)

SAK:

I think I would be remiss to not mention the COVID-19 regulations, because they have reshaped our lives and because I am in the public health space. One of the most troubling aspects of the regulations was to criminalise exposing others to SARS-CoV-2 under attempted murder. We’ve seen many times how criminalisation laws can do more harm than good and undermine public health efforts. Thus far it seems like there haven’t been convictions but charges have been brought and I am worried about whether the effects of this criminalisation will be more far reaching than we currently realise.

FWIL:

How do you meet other professionals in your field and what are some of your effective networking skills?

SAK:

I think being in academia is quite different to other fields. I’ve met a lot of people through my work, conferences and the like. I often read interesting articles and pieces and reach out to the author. I’ve been blown away by how receptive people are and their willingness to speak to strangers. It has led to great conversations and collaborations.

FWIL:

What does the term “role model” mean to you? Is there a woman in your life that you consider a role model?

SAK:

A role model, for me, is someone who reflects things you wish you could emulate or achieve. I have been incredibly fortunate to have two really amazing role models in my life. My mom has always been a role model and more recently, the judge I clerked for has not just been a role model but a mentor with whom I have a fantastic relationship with and who really has gone out of her way to make things happen for me. Both these women celebrate my achievements with more gusto than their own. It is overwhelming.

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FWIL:

What books have you read that have greatly influenced your life?

SAK:

The Misfits by James Howe really changed my perspective and helped me a lot. It was the first time I saw a character like me in book, a young girl, tall, nerdy and very political. In many ways, I felt comfortable to be myself because I was validated by the characters in the Misfits.

FWIL:

What would you tell your younger self?

SAK:

That no opportunity is wasted if you learn from it. I have sometimes questioned why I spent time doing certain things but I have already seen how some of the experiences and learnings I gained elsewhere have benefitted me immensely late down the line.

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FWIL:

What is your take on mentorship and are you open to mentoring young lawyers or law students?

SAK:

Mentors have played such an important role in my life, I have tried to pay it forward in as many ways I can. Very few lawyers are aware of alternative paths outside legal academia and practice but I am always here for a chat and to support young lawyers who are interested in exploring this.

FWIL:

How can people reach out to you? (social media handles)

SAK:

I’m on twitter at @AkSafs – please get in touch!