ABOUT US
our work involves
1 | Showing the next generation of women all that they can be by making women's stories more visible from across the organisational structure, offering a more in-depth view of what women do at work.
2 | Strengthening female to female relationships at every level through events, projects, and roundtable discussions.
3 | Bringing companies together to collaborate and discuss ways that organisations can create environments that give women the cultural and systemic support they need to thrive.
'For The Women' campaign 1 of over 100 images
why we exist
In a world largely built by and for men, there is systemic discrimination against women & girls, creating widespread and in some cases invisible biases that have had a profound effect on women for years.
Progress has been made over the last few decades, but many challenges remain. Gender stereotypes continue to stifle growth, kill confidence, lower self-esteem, and increase mental health issues.
Women are still underrepresented at all levels of leadership making up only 18.6% of executive committee members and 3.2% of CEO roles in the FTSE 250 and workplaces are yet to authentically achieve gender equality.
We’re working with corporates and schools to spotlight women’s lives and perspectives, helping to develop programs that bring about real change that enables women’s social and professional progression.
“Do not live someone else’s life and someone else’s idea of what womanhood is. Womanhood is you. Womanhood is everything that’s inside of you.”
Viola Davis
Deborah Williams
The Women's Association
Founder
Deborah's Socials
When we are young there is a bubble of innocence that hides us away from some of the harsh realities in the world. I was able to keep myself in that bubble until 2014 when I was awakened by the realisation that being a woman in the world and especially in the corporate landscape comes with many challenges. This realisation came when I embarked on a journey of discovery for my dissertation which explored the stories of women in leadership across industries. Once I was aware, I struggled to sit back and do nothing.
This led to the first of many efforts to try and create change. As I embarked on this journey I found that I was personally burdened by the historically imposed expectations and stereotypes that dictated what was acceptable for me as a women trying to navigate my journey.
This led me to want to create an organisation that works to change systems, cultures and mindsets that make women and girls feel like we have to be anything other than our authentic selves at work and in the wider world. My hope is that through The Women's Association we can give girls the information & support to dream whilst we work on dismantling the barriers that could prohibit us from making our dreams a reality.
In order to do this, we are working on educating & inspiring young girls whilst building a strong community of women that can support them through their journey.
