Member Profile: Areezah Jiwa
Past WAVE Committee Co-Chair
(She/Her)
Areezah Jiwa is passionate in supporting, uplifting, and amplifying the voices and confidence of those around her. Areezah’s parents were expelled from Uganda as refugees and subsequently made Edmonton their home. As a born and raised Edmontonian, Areezah strives to make her community a welcoming environment for everyone.
Areezah is a strong believer in equitable access to justice for marginalized groups. She is a practicing lawyer in Edmonton and has worked on pro bono matters with the Association for the Prevention of Torture and the United Nations in developing guidelines for law enforcement officials in implementing procedural safeguards to prevent the use of ill-treatment and torture of suspects. Areezah’s pro bono work continued through legal support in assisting female Afghan judges in completing their refugee application forms to support their journey to live in Canada.
Areezah is a Board Director of Women in Law Leadership and she is dedicated to celebrating and advancing women in law through recognition and education. Areezah is also a member of the ACTLA Women’s Legal Forum which encourages collegiality, professional and personal growth, and mentorship among women lawyers in Alberta.
