In this article, programme participant Muminah reflects on her journey with Young Women Lead 2024.

Starting my journey with Young Women Lead

When I first applied for the Young Women Lead (YWL) programme, my initial motivation was mainly to gain some experience to enhance my CV. I wasn’t too sure what to expect but was excited about the opportunity to network with other young women across Scotland. Now, coming to the end of my time as part of YWL, I’m glad that I applied because I’ve found the experience incredibly valuable.

I enjoyed the collaborative and inclusive approach of YWL, I got to take part in engaging activities such as mind mapping and collaging. The use of in-depth research and statistics helped to frame and convey the topics we discussed in an accessible way. Attending sessions in the Scottish Parliament and getting a literal “inside-look” into how the country is run has also been a fun experience!

Gaining New Skills and Knowledge

Through YWL, I’ve developed a range of different skills. My confidence in approaching unfamiliar topics in new settings has grown, and I believe this will help me navigate new workplaces and environments in the future.

Overall, this programme has been an incredibly valuable educational opportunity for me. Our main task has been to explore ways to improve democratic well-being for young women. Democratic wellbeing is the ‘voice’ we have in public life and decisions that affect us.

We’ve covered topics such as how devolution and participatory democracy work, as well as trust in society and effective campaigning. Additionally, YWL has given me a better understanding of political structures and gender issues. Through this programme, I’ve come to realise how important it is to recognise that a “gender-blind” approach to policy-making can cause more harm than good. Instead, adopting an intersectional approach, acknowledging the unique experiences and needs of different groups can result in more inclusive, equitable and progressive outcomes.

Changing Perspectives and Exploring New Career Opportunities

As a result of YWL, I feel inspired to get more involved in politics. Through participatory democracy, I can contribute to my community in significant ways beyond just voting in an election every few years. Even my view of voting has changed—as I now see it as less of a routine task but a powerful way to affect change.

YWL has also helped me to expand my network and introduced me to, other groups and organisations like ElectHerand the Scottish Youth Parliament which highlight that there’s lots more opportunities for continued political engagement beyond YWL and The Young Women’s Movement (YWM). This programme has also introduced me to career pathways in policy and advocacy that I hadn’t previously considered, challenging my preconceptions of what it means to engage with politics as a young person.

The impact of taking part in a feminist leadership programme as a young woman

As a young woman, being a part of a feminist leadership programme that explores activism has been incredibly inspiring. It has made me feel seen and heard and has reinforced that my opinion matters. YWL has highlighted the power that every voice, vote and individual holds in the community and wider society, especially as young women. It’s empowering to know that we can use our voices to create meaningful change.

Realising that I’m not alone in some of my experiences and aspirations has also been reassuring. I feel inspired to use my voice and advocate for the issues that matter to me, particularly as a young Black Muslim woman. The lack of representation often makes it feel like policies either exclude people like me or, worse, negatively impact our lives. But through YWL, I’ve found a platform to express my opinions and contribute to change. As someone who’s quite introverted and generally feels more comfortable in women-led environments, YWL provided a safe and supportive space for learning and growth, making it easier to engage in political discussions and share my thoughts without fear of judgement.

Going forward, I hope that more young women will have the opportunity to participate in programmes like YWL and be inspired to get involved in politics and activism.