Designing to Break Stereotypes Among Young Women
A Women-Centric Design Conversation
Research shows that confidence levels drop by 30% among girls aged 8-14 years. Chelsea Slater of InnovateHer & Mérida Miller of Project Fearless are building incredible platforms to prevent exactly that. In this Women-Centric Design conversation, Mérida & Chelsea discuss learnings and insights from working directly with young women (and their communities) to get gxrls out of their comfort zones and instil confidence in them from a young age.
Key Takeaways
💪 Redefining Emotional Intelligence: The stereotype that women are overly emotional is challenged by Chelsea’s narrative, which frames emotional expression as a form of strength that can foster collaboration and connection in professional settings. By embracing vulnerability, women can build trust and create supportive environments, counteracting the stigma surrounding emotional responses in leadership roles.
🌍 Youth Activism is on the Rise: Chelsea highlights a trend where young women are increasingly engaged in social causes, driven by the accessibility of information through social media. This contrasts with earlier generations, who lacked the same level of awareness and connection to global issues. The shift indicates that younger generations are more inclined to challenge societal norms and strive for meaningful change.
🔄 The Impact of Safe Spaces: Merida discusses the necessity of creating environments where young girls can share their experiences without fear of judgment. By fostering open dialogues about challenges, such as body image and emotional struggles, these safe spaces allow young women to develop confidence and resilience, paving the way for healthier self-perceptions.
🏆 Breaking Down Stereotypes Through Design: Both practitioners emphasize the importance of involving young women in the design of programs aimed at their empowerment. By actively participating in decision-making, girls can express their preferences and needs, ensuring that initiatives are relevant and effective. This participatory approach helps dismantle stereotypes and fosters a sense of ownership among participants.
🧠 Navigating the Complexity of Adolescence: Merida’s reflections on the varied experiences of young girls highlight the complexity of adolescence, where individual journeys can differ significantly. Understanding this diversity is crucial for creating tailored support systems that address the unique challenges each girl faces, including academic pressure, social dynamics, and emotional fluctuations.
🔍 Acknowledging Intersectionality: The conversation touches on the importance of considering intersectionality when designing programs for young women. By recognizing the diverse backgrounds and identities of participants, initiatives can be more inclusive and responsive to the needs of all girls, particularly those from marginalized communities.
💼 Leadership and Empathy: The panelists discuss the need for a shift in leadership styles to incorporate empathy and emotional intelligence. By challenging traditional notions of leadership that prioritize assertiveness over compassion, organizations can cultivate environments where collaboration flourishes, leading to innovative solutions and more inclusive workplaces.
About Merida Miller
Originally from the US, Merida studied fashion design in university and after graduating worked for Under Armour as an advanced concept designer for their innovation. After 7 years at Under Armour, she knew that although the job title and company were “cool”, it wasn’t where she was meant to be. She knew she needed to create a space where she could be hands-on and active, create an impact, and most importantly create a space where she could empower people to reach their best selves. Now she spends her days working with some of the most talented and unique womxn in Amsterdam to help make Project Fearless a success.
About Chelsea Slater
Chelsea has dedicated her work to achieve gender equality within the tech sector. Her direct experiences of inequality within her previous roles inspired her and business partner Jo, to start InnovateHer — a social enterprise on a mission to “Get girls ready for the tech industry and the industry ready for girls.” InnovateHer educates and inspires teenage girls to have careers in tech, whilst helping companies to be more inclusive. With her team, Chelsea plans to become a leading tech education provider across the U.K and beyond.