Meriam Mravili: Advancing Justice from the UN to the Digital Sphere

“If others can do it, why can’t you?” For Meriam Mravili, that question has never been rhetorical. It is a reminder of possibility, resilience, and purpose. This simple question, instilled in her by her parents, has carried Meriam Mravili through lecture halls, law firm offices, UN negotiation rooms, and social media timelines. A young North and East African woman working at the intersection of international law and digital storytelling, Meriam is a rising voice in global legal circles and a source of inspiration for thousands of aspiring professionals navigating similar paths.

Meriam Mravili’s path is anything but conventional. She considers herself “a citizen of the world.” Raised between countries across Africa, with a father in diplomacy and a heritage that bridges multiple cultures, Meriam developed a fluid understanding of identity and justice. Having studied and worked in the United States, the United Kingdom, and within the United Nations system, she’s built a career informed by a global lens. These cross-border experiences, she reflects, have shaped not only her understanding of justice but also the way she navigates law. “Each environment has given me a unique lens through which to view various cultures, socio-economic situations and legal tools…. This global upbringing instilled in me both empathy and adaptability which are qualities that are indispensable when advising on complex legal issues that impact diverse communities,” she shares.

Though Meriam’s academic journey began with a degree in sociology, law was always the destination. Studying in the U.S. meant law school was a postgraduate pursuit; something that turned out to be a hidden blessing. “I don’t think I would have been ready to study law at 17 or knew what sort of law I would want to specialise in, if I hadn’t done sociology first,” she admits. “Sociology gave me the foundation to understand how systems of power and social structures affect communities,” she explains. When she eventually began studying law in the UK, she carried with her that sociological awareness which is essential, she says, when working in areas like human rights. The social sciences gave her a grounding in understanding systems of power, which continues to influence her legal practice today. “My legal work is sharper because it’s grounded in that human context.” Whether drafting a legal opinion or contributing to policy, she’s always thinking about the human beings at the centre of legal decisions.

Her legal practice has already touched a broad range of institutions. Meriam’s CV is as diverse as her background, with stints at organisations including Amnesty International UK, global law firm DLA Piper, and the International Organization for Migration (IOM). But one moment that remains particularly close to her heart comes from her time at the International Organization for Migration working with returning migrants in Cameroon. Reviewing the cases of individuals fleeing conflict and instability, she found herself struck by the stark difference in their lives compared to hers. “I was working with migrants, many of whom had fled violence and instability,” she recalls. “It struck me how their journey was one of survival. Meanwhile, I was moving across borders with choice and privilege never having to fear where I would go next,” she reflects. This put things into perspective for her.  “It was one of the experiences that inspired me to pursue international law as a career, in order to amplify stories that are often overlooked.”

This was an experience that helped cement her path in international law and her desire to bring voice to the stories too often left unheard.

Serving as Legal Advisor to the Permanent Mission of Comoros to the UN was another pivotal chapter. Stationed on the Third Committee of the UN General Assembly where she was responsible for analysing various treaties, attending committee meetings, and drafting and negotiating resolutions related to human rights and social development, Meriam says that the experience “was incredibly formative. ” She explains that “the Third Committee debates some of the most sensitive and politically charged issues, ranging from children’s rights to indigenous peoples’ rights, to the advancement of women.” Yet, the work went far beyond technical skill. It required articulating the position of a small African island nation on the world stage. “Comoros is part of multiple regional groups; the African, Arab, Francophone, and small Island developing states which includes a lot of environmentally based issues.” It was a role that demanded responsibility and critical thinking in navigating these nuances.

As a young woman in these high-stakes spaces, she admits the pressure was intense, but the guidance of her team was invaluable. “Being a woman and being young in this huge and important environment that is the General Assembly was challenging. I am a perfectionist, and I tend to put a lot of pressure on myself,” she shares. “But I was lucky to have a lovely team who made my experience so enriching.”

Currently a legal affairs trainee at the General Legal Division of the United Nations Office of Legal Affairs in New York, Meriam is no stranger to the complexity of global institutions. Her work involves providing support to various legal clusters. From supporting counsel before the UN Appeals Tribunal to reviewing member state agreements and drafting commercial contracts, the unpredictability and dynamism of the job is precisely what excites her. “I did not know what to expect before I joined, and it is so lovely to see how the division combines litigation, diplomacy, administrative law, and public international law,” she says, clearly energised by the breadth of work.

But Meriam’s impact isn’t limited to the UN corridors. Outside of the UN, Meriam has built a thriving online presence, reaching over 75,000 followers across TikTok, Instagram, and her podcast, The Legal Juice. Her journey into content creation began as a law student in London, during the isolating peak of COVID-19. As an international student in a new legal system and without a legal network, she began documenting her experiences to help keep track of what she was studying and to connect with others. “I never imagined it would resonate the way it did,” she says. Her content blends legal advice, lifestyle reflections, and early career guidance, always with the aim of demystifying the field and offering mentorship. The podcast was born from a desire to spotlight lesser-known legal careers; moving beyond the standard narratives of corporate and criminal law and sharing the kind of mentorship she once longed for. Her content has become a hub for aspiring legal professionals looking for real talk and practical advice.

Her digital work also serves a larger purpose: bridging the accessibility gap in legal education. “Legal education often assumes access; access to mentors, networks, internships, and even basic knowledge of how the law world works,” she says. “But for many students, especially those who are first-gen, international or come from underrepresented backgrounds, that access simply isn’t there.” Her content seeks to fill those gaps with honesty and transparency. “I want young professionals to know what it’s actually like to apply for internships, fail an exam, or land a role in international organisations.”

Balancing public content creation with a legal career at the UN might seem daunting, but Meriam finds joy and harmony in the two. “My legal career grounds me in structure, research, and discipline. Content creation allows me to reflect, connect, and share in a more personal way,” she says. The two feed into each other, and the crossover has also led to meaningful professional connections, including with other young diplomats working in international organisations like the EU and AU. She believes the connections she’s building through this will help her expand her professional network across diplomacy and law. Something that will be valuable for her future endeavours.

Still, navigating elite international spaces as a multilingual African woman is not without its challenges. For many young Africans, particularly women, the road to institutions like the UN can feel distant. Meriam is candid about the obstacles. When asked how she navigates spaces where people with her background are still underrepresented, Meriam remains grounded. “It’s not always easy walking into rooms where no one else shares your background, but it is what makes me unique,” she says. “One of the biggest hurdles I faced was simply not seeing enough people like me, specifically African women, in positions of power,” she explains. However, her upbringing offers a lens that is not only valuable but necessary in global discussions. “I carry the experiences of communities that are often excluded from these tables, and I use that as motivation to keep going.”

On the topic of diversity, Meriam is unequivocal: “Meaningful inclusion means going beyond quotas or symbolic gestures.” It requires structural change. “It’s about making sure that people from all backgrounds have not only access to institutions but are given the tools to be in these spaces and have influence within them,” she says. That includes mentorship, access to education, and real decision-making power; spaces where diverse voices can influence outcomes and are not just ticking boxes.

Her values; integrity, empathy and resilience, are shaped by her upbringing and the powerful women in her life. Among the voices that have inspired her, Fatou Bensouda stands tall. As the first woman and first African woman to serve as Chief Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court, she’s a figure Meriam deeply admires. But her biggest sources of inspiration come from her everyday life; her best friend Anousha, her friend from law school and fellow lawyer, Naomi, and her mother, who she credits for instilling values of hard work and grace in her.

Looking ahead, she’s hesitant to define success in rigid terms. “I’m constantly changing and aspiring to do different things,” she says. “What I know is that I want to build a legacy that says: ‘You belong here, too.’ No matter the industry.”

For rest and inspiration, it’s the simple things—coffee runs with a good book, walks through her father’s village in Moroni, or a guilty pleasure binge of Desperate Housewives.

And for those just starting out, she offers practical wisdom: subscribe to a reliable news source, stay aware of the world, and most of all, believe in your ability to shape it. “Don’t wait for permission or a perfect moment,” she urges. “Create your own opportunities.”

Meriam Mravili is more than a rising legal mind—she’s a symbol of what’s possible when courage, purpose, and identity come together. In a world where power is often gated by privilege, Meriam is pushing open the doors; one legal brief, one podcast episode, and one principled stand at a time. Whether in UN negotiation rooms or across social media timelines where young dreamers gather, she is proof that international law is not only for the elite but for anyone bold enough to claim their place. Her story is not just about representation. It Is about redefining the spaces African women can occupy. She is rewriting the narrative for African women in international spaces. Her journey reminds us that the path to global influence doesn’t begin with privilege; it begins with belief. And for every young person who wonders if they belong in these rooms, her message is clear: you already do. Now go take your seat.

Read Also: The Voice of Africa is Now Inside the United Nations