Deconstructing Women’s Development Programs: What they are, what they’re not and why we need them

With nearly two decades in project management and development, I can tell you firsthand that the property and construction industry is tough. And unsurprisingly, it’s even tougher for women. 

As someone who specialises in supporting women within the property and construction industry, I’m passionate about discovering how we best attract, retain and develop women in this space. 

So today, we’re exploring the often misunderstood world of women's development programs and debunking the common misconceptions about their purpose and effectiveness. 

What are Women’s Development Programs?

Women’s development programs often encompass a wide range of initiatives aimed at fostering growth, skill development and empowerment. Contrary to what you might think, they’re not all just about preparing women for leadership roles. They can be more broadly about equipping women at all stages of their career with the tools they need to succeed. I take you through the benefits of these programs, such as building strong professional networks and creating a safe space to discuss challenges unique to women. 

Addressing Specific Challenges

A frequent critique of women's development programs is the idea that they’re redundant because of the existence of gender-neutral leadership and development programs. And while I absolutely agree that gender neutral programs are invaluable, they do not address specific challenges faced by women, such as unconscious bias, the lack of female role models and the unique work-life balance problems we often come up against. Women's development programs fill this gap with tailored content that addresses specific barriers, supports women to overcome systemic obstacles and helps them achieve the professional development they might get through a mixed gender setting. The truth is, women's development programs play a critical role in levelling the playing field.

The Power of Diversity

Yes, women’s development programs empower women in the workplace - but this doesn’t just have an impact on the individual level. It has the opportunity to benefit the organisation - and even the industry - as a whole. We know that diversity is what drives innovation, and will allow organisations to stay sustainable and competitive in the future. With inclusive workplaces being six times more likely to innovate and twice as likely to meet their financial targets, I’d say any initiative that supports women to contribute fully and help shift the gender mix in leadership is more than worthwhile. 

I think it's important to acknowledge that women's development programs are not just about providing equal opportunities for women. They are actually about harnessing the untapped potential that can drive significant growth and innovation in our traditionally male dominated industries of property and construction.

So, here’s to closing the gender gap in leadership and in turn, creating what we all want to see - a much more inclusive and profitable construction industry!

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