Why women’s focussed training?

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The STRIDE programme was born from the recognition of the unique experiences and challenges women face in various fields and industries. STRIDE empowers women to be authentic, value-driven, and successful leaders; to foster personal growth and mentorship, and to leverage their unique skillset to advance their career journey.

Why women’s focussed training?

Here are some key points that support the need for women-focused training environments:

Addressing Gender-specific Challenges: 

Women in business often face unique challenges, such as work-life balance, gender bias, and limited representation in leadership roles. Women-only training environments can address these challenges directly, providing strategies, resources, and support systems to navigate and overcome them effectively.

Empowerment and Confidence: 

Women-only training environments provide a safe space for women to express themselves freely, build confidence, and strengthen their professional skills. By removing potential gender biases and stereotypes, women can explore their capabilities, overcome barriers to unlock their full potential.

Networking and Mentorship: 

Women-focused training environments facilitate valuable networking opportunities and mentorship connections specifically designed to address the challenges faced by women in business. Connecting with like-minded peers and experienced mentors helps women build supportive relationships, expand their professional network, and access valuable guidance and advice.

Skill Development: 

Women-only training environments can focus on developing the skills that are particularly relevant and beneficial to women in the business world. Topics such as negotiation, assertiveness, leadership, and effective communication can be explored in-depth, catering to the specific needs and aspirations of women professionals.

Creating Effective Learning Environments: 

Women-focused training environments can adapt teaching methods, content, and approaches to creating a more experiential learning experience. For example, interactive and collaborative activities, open dialogue, and diverse role models can enhance engagement and knowledge retention.

It is important to note that while women-focused training environments offer unique advantages, they should not exclude men from participating in initiatives that promote gender equality and diversity. Inclusive training environments that bring together individuals of different genders can foster broader understanding, empathy, and collaboration, ultimately benefiting everyone involved.

What is the evidence?

While there is a limited number of studies specifically focusing on the efficacy of training for women in women-only environments in the business context, some research has explored related areas and provided insights into this topic. Here are a few studies in this realm:

"Women's Business Centers and Female Entrepreneurship: A Systematic Review of the Literature" by Coleman, S. (2015)

This study investigates the effectiveness of Women's Business Centers (WBCs) in supporting female entrepreneurs and highlights the positive impact of WBCs on women's business knowledge, confidence, networking, and access to resources, which indirectly indicate the efficacy of training in women-only environments.

"The Impact of Women's-Only Leadership Development Programs: A Longitudinal Study" by Brimhall, K. C., et al. (2017)

The study provides insights into the positive effects of women-only programs, including increased self-confidence, career mobility, and leadership effectiveness.

"Do Women-Only Business Networks Have a Long-Term Impact on Firm Performance?" by Noe, T. H., et al. (2017)

Results in the study suggests that participation in women-only networks positively influences firm growth and performance, indicating the potential benefits of women-oriented environments in the business context.

Impact of Women-Focused Training in Business Environments

Even though research specifically examining the efficacy of training in women-only environments within the business context is limited, related studies do indirectly support the benefits of women-focused training in enhancing business knowledge, confidence, networking, and overall career outcomes.

Considering the lack of extensive research in this specific domain, it remains crucial to evaluate training programs and environments on an individual basis, considering factors such as program design, content relevance, instructional methodologies, and the needs of the participants.

Conclusion

Women-only training environments create a supportive, empowering, and tailored space that addresses the unique needs and challenges faced by women in business. By nurturing skills, fostering confidence, and promoting networking and mentorship opportunities, these environments play a crucial role in advancing women's professional growth, breaking down gender barriers, and driving positive change in the business world.