Immersive boot camps for women could be a way to overcome the stark gender imbalance in political leadership, according to new research which examined how to increase the political ambitions of talented women.
Lead author Associate Professor Aleksandra Luksyte, an ARC Future Fellow at The University of Western Australia Business School, said women tended to have lower political ambition than men due to the traditionally male-dominated nature of politics.
"Women are often reluctant to consider political careers due to potential stereotypes and the harassment many female leaders experience in politics and other male-dominated industries," Associate Professor Luksyte said.
"This lack of women in politics is unfortunate given research suggests women are just as effective as leaders as men, and may even bring unique strengths and policy priorities to public office."
Keen to explore how to empower more women to consider political careers, Associate Professor Luksyte – with colleagues Associate Professor Winny Shen from York University in Canada and Associate Professor James Beck from the University of Waterloo in Canada – partnered with She Runs, a Perth-based non-profit, non-partisan organisation that aims to help women develop the leadership and political skills and networks needed to run for and thrive in political office.
The team collected data from four cohorts of women who took part in She Runs' female-only Politics Boot Camp, surveying them before and after the program to see whether it had changed their political ambition.
The four-week leadership program promotes deep and immersive learning, including interactive workshops with female political leaders from different parties, staffers, media and academics along with practical exercises, collaboration and real-world political engagement.
Topics include public narratives, campaign strategies, fundraising, volunteer management and policy development.
Associate Professor Luksyte said the results showed the approach did increase the women's political ambition, boosting their self-efficacy and confidence by teaching them concrete skills and reducing perceived barriers.
"One of the biggest psychological barriers to women pursuing political ambitions is not a lack of experience but perceptions that being a woman makes politics harder," she said.
"Being exposed to female politicians willing to share their political journeys and lived experience in an honest, open, and authentic way gave the participants valuable insights and allowed them to imagine themselves in political office.
"It not only showed them pathways into politics but ways to overcome barriers and any negative experiences."
The researchers found no increase in general motivation to lead or undertake public service – already high in the cohorts tested – suggesting the program didn't simply make participants more ambitious but specifically increased their interest in political office.
"The under-representation of women in political leadership remains a global problem but our study shows political leadership development programs like the one She Runs offers for women can be a valuable way to increase women's political aspirations by enhancing their confidence and reducing perceived gender-related obstacles," Associate Professor Luksyte said.
The research was published in a special issue of the Journal of Vocational Behaviour titled "Is it a Man's World? Empowering Women in Male-Dominated Careers".
