Role of women’s college in shaping strong women leaders
Leadership is not only about holding a title; it involves how you think and execute it. Leadership is a quality that anyone can posses. Unlike popular belief, it is above a role or title. It involves identifying, considering, and embracing your capabilities and then doing the activities accordingly, not just in the classroom but also at home. It includes learning teamwork while acknowledging each group member for bringing different abilities to the table. It is the realisation that you can change your community through positive action.
Girls-only colleges take on the onus of educating and empowering women so that they can take on leadership roles and bring about the changes required in their communities. In most co-educational institutes, men hold most of the leadership positions. This leaves women with very little opportunity to showcase their leadership skills. Thus, women can take up and hone their leadership skills in an all-girls institute without fear.
Historically, women have been oppressed and denied the right to express their opinions. Though situation has changed in recent years and some opportunities have been provided to women, yet there are some challenges that women face in co-educational institutes, such as:
Women are not just denied top leadership possibilities at the end of a long career; rather, these opportunities seem to vanish at different stages throughout their paths. Even when women have leadership positions, we still encounter obstacles that call for radical transformation in institutional structures, procedures, and, probably most importantly, mindsets.
Discriminatory norms against women are still very common. Thus, women in a leadership role in co-educational institutes are prone to trolling, violence and online hate. Moreover, rules and practices that are exclusive and discriminating make it more difficult for women to succeed in a leadership role.
Leadership roles taught in all-girls college:
Whether you are in an engineering college or a BBA college, if it is an all-girls college, then you will learn leadership skills in the following ways:
It offers students an excellent chance to learn from, grow with, and interact with a group of female leaders. Successful alumni from a female institute always stay connected to their alma master. This allows students to meet their role models and seek guidance from them.
For the growth of each student to explore and grow their leadership potential, power, and preferences as female leaders, girls-only colleges provide safe and reflective spaces.
Teachers in an all-women college teach their students with integrity and compassion; this can help the students become more prepared and confident in assisting with achieving righteousness, inclusivity, and diversity across the leadership landscape.
In an all-girls institute, women are taught to embrace a culture of learning by searching out and expressing new ideas and seeking revolutionary concepts that can help in their own development and growth.
As previously mentioned, Girls can express themselves in a safe environment at women's institutes without worrying about criticism or trolling. This develops a legacy of fearless, self-assured, and inclusive female leaders.
Moreover, many women colleges allow some subjects or events in co-educational colleges, this gives girls ample space to work with men too and thus building an inclusive space.
In a world where mensplaining is common, studying in a girl’s college helps women realize that their voice matters and that they can have a modest or significant impact on the world. To know everything you want to say, the changes you want to see, and how you can bring that change, you need to be a leader and take the initiative. Another crucial component of leadership at a women's institution is developing self-assurance in your capacity to bring about change and your comprehension of how to do it.
College is a chance to discover your passions and deepen your understanding of both yourself and others. Leadership development at a women's college is identical to that at a co-ed college, but with a stronger emphasis on boosting self-assurance and a greater interest in empowerment and advocacy for women. All these learnings not only help women in their personal lives but also help them build a career and take ownership of their work.