Raising Empowered Girls who Empower Other Girls

“Behind every successful woman is a tribe of other successful women who have her back”

As a society, we tend to collectively adhere to and perpetuate our culture’s nasty habit of trying to pit women (or young girls) against each other. We can get in each others’ way instead of support, uplift or encourage each other.

There is a common theme that young girls and women see each other as competition instead of potential supporters and allies. It is thought that many young girls and women believe there are limited opportunities available to them and consequently fewer opportunities for them to succeed.

One survey* found that 30% of girls aged 10 to 19 see fewer opportunities at school for them compared to boys, particularly in sport and leadership roles.

Girls who believe this are probably less likely to support their peers ‘competing’ for the same opportunities as them.

But what if the exact opposite behavior could lead to greater advantages for everyone?

Experts say that if girls can band together, they can in fact, expand their options and therefore increase their opportunities for success. We are more powerful when we empower each other. By drawing on support from other women and girls we can harness our collective energy to help each other in whatever it is we are striving for.

“More than ever, I am aware of the need to support and celebrate each other. I like to believe I am part of a global support group network of 3.4 billion. Imagine: if you can fall back on the 3.5 billion sisters, and the many good men who are with us, what could we possibly not achieve?”

Here are 3 practical ways you can help build on your daughter’s confidence and inspire her to support other girls too:

1. Encourage your daughter to take up more space:

Simple changes in posture can build their sense of empowerment.

Encouraging your daughter to stand tall and upright can really positively affect her mood and confidence. People who feel empowered are more likely to empower others too. So tell your daughter that she deserves to take up space!

The “Fearless Girl” statue is a perfect example of how to stand tall and take up space! (Photo by NY Post)

2. Focus attention on skill mastery over skill performance

It’s possible to thrive in a competitive environment without focusing on doing better than someone else.

Discourage the belief that only one can do well then the other cannot.

Focus your praise on their skill development (e.g. what they learnt and the knowledge they gained to achieve the grades at school or their ability to work well in a team).

Instead of asking the question “Did you run the fastest?” ask: “Did you run your fastest?”or “Did you run further today than your previous run?”

3. Encourage them to join a team:

Being part of a team requires her to invest in others’ success. Her ability to do well for her team is what is valued over her ability to be better than everyone else. It can be hard to find a team to join if your child isn’t particularly into sports or feels they aren’t “good enough” to participate.

However, that’s why we, at Project Fearless, provide girls with the opportunity to be a part of a team outside of the normal confines of sport or school-based activities

We give them a place where they can work with strong female role models, learn to be their own best cheerleaders, and find the power within!