Female leadership growth

Female leadership growth

20 March 2024

A FEMALE leadership programme, which was pioneered by a local grammar school principal in 2019, has since tripled in size.

The SistersIN programme is dedicated to enabling, empowering and developing young girls across Northern Ireland.

The programme, which was piloted by Assumption Grammar principal Peter Dobbin, was celebrated at a major event at the International Convention Centre in Belfast recently.

Around 400 sixth form students from 28 schools across Northern Ireland, including Assumption Grammar, now take part in SistersIN. 

The programme is a collaborative project between the schools who deliver leadership training, senior female leaders who mentor the students, and the students who put their leadership into action through projects in their schools, local communities and wider society.

Mr Dobbin, who is now the programme chair, said: “Tripling our participant numbers in 2024 is a testament to the dedication of our partner schools, our mentors, and most importantly the young girls who have been involved.

“It’s incredible to think that this year we’re supporting 400 schoolgirls from across Northern Ireland, many of whom may not otherwise have had the opportunity to experience such a sustained period of one-to-one leadership.

He added: “The concept is simple, but powerful, and we’ve seen first-hand how it can build confidence and help schoolgirls to see their full potential at a crucial time in their lives.”