Female Empowerment Should Be Fun Not Forced
Girls have the potential to become great leaders, but societal norms and cultural biases often hinder their progress. It’s high time we acknowledge and address the systemic discrimination, sexism, over-sexualization, and racism that girls face regularly. By remodeling our traditional understanding of leadership to a more collaborative and inclusive approach, we can encourage girls to embrace their leadership capabilities. We must be open about the challenges they face and teach them to push back against unfair treatment. Initiatives like Lean In Girls are steps in the right direction. Let’s stand up for our girls by advocating for true gender equality in all spaces, especially schools and workplaces.
In a society where the perception of leadership is dominated by masculine attributes, the potential of girls as leaders often go unrecognized and underutilized. The prevailing culture frequently emphasizes girls’ physical appearance, subtly suggesting that their worth lies more in their looks than in their abilities to lead and make a difference. When these girls muster the courage to assert their leadership qualities, they commonly face resistance, a testament to the deeply entrenched gender biases in our society.
The notion of “girl power,” while empowering, can sometimes obscure the harsh reality that societal structures and attitudes are still largely biased against them. Thus, to truly empower girls to become leaders, we must first confront and dismantle the barriers that stand in their way.
Despite the strides made towards gender equality, girls are still brought up in a world that often prioritizes boys and men. Progress on this front has unfortunately stalled in many parts of the globe. In the United States, for example, women continue to be underrepresented in senior leadership positions across nearly all industries despite earning more bachelor’s degrees than men for over four decades. Even with the Equal Pay Act established in 1963, women, particularly women of color, continue to earn less than men for performing equivalent work.
As girls navigate the academic landscape, their self-confidence frequently dwindles, contributing to the shocking statistic that a third of them shy away from leadership roles for fear of being labeled as ‘bossy’. By high school, almost half of the girls doubt their intelligence and ability to pursue their dream careers.
For true change to occur, it’s imperative to have open and candid conversations about these issues, raising awareness of the challenges girls face. This can cultivate resilience, enabling them to identify and contest unjust treatment and reframe harmful stereotypes.
It’s high time we redefine leadership, moving away from the traditional command and control model that is often associated with masculinity. Girls resonate more with a collaborative approach to leadership that embraces listening, supporting others, and striving for societal improvement. This inclusive style of leadership is beneficial not only for girls but also for society as a whole.
In alignment with this vision, we are proud to introduce Lean In Girls, a leadership program specifically designed to help girls break free from societal stereotypes and harness their inherent leadership potential. We urge everyone – parents, caregivers, teachers, coaches, mentors – to join us in this endeavor.
We must confront and challenge the sexism, over-sexualization, racism, and other forms of discrimination that girls face. This means unmasking and dismantling biased messages and unjust systems. When girls are judged based on their appearance or penalized for speaking their minds, it diminishes their abilities and potential. This is especially true for Black girls, who often face a toxic blend of sexism and racism.
We owe it to our girls and to future generations to fight for true gender equality in all spaces, from schools to workplaces. Let us stand up for our girls and pave the way for them to lead.
