Preprint Article Version 1 Preserved in Portico This version is not peer-reviewed

Education for Sustainable Leadership: Raising Women’s Capacities

Version 1 : Received: 3 September 2019 / Approved: 5 September 2019 / Online: 5 September 2019 (02:55:41 CEST)

A peer-reviewed article of this Preprint also exists.

Segovia-Pérez, M.; Laguna-Sánchez, P.; de la Fuente-Cabrero, C. Education for Sustainable Leadership: Fostering Women’s Empowerment at the University Level. Sustainability 2019, 11, 5555. Segovia-Pérez, M.; Laguna-Sánchez, P.; de la Fuente-Cabrero, C. Education for Sustainable Leadership: Fostering Women’s Empowerment at the University Level. Sustainability 2019, 11, 5555.

Abstract

Education is an imperative key to driving sustainability and gender equity. In addition to addressing well-known female deficiencies in leadership training, it is really important to develop initiatives in sustainable leadership education for women to acquire skills, competencies and tools on leadership and to increase their self-perceptions. The purpose of this study is to assess a Women’s Leadership Program for university students. The sample consisted of 50 students enrolled in the program. A mixed-method approach was applied. Quantitative methods with a survey were conducted to evaluate the training and the achievement of leadership skills. In the data analysis, a descriptive statistics variance analysis, using a Welch statistic and T2 Dunnett test, was applied. Qualitative research methods were conducted through three focus groups to evaluate personal changes in their own-perceptions and self-confidence. Results suggest that the female students in the program reached a level of leadership knowledge with practical tools for their future. The program inspired them and confirmed changes in their personal capacities or self-confidence, including reflection about facing challenges in the work environment. The findings support the effectiveness of the specific education in breaking two barriers shown by the literature for women to getting a managerial position: lack of training and female self-confidence.

Keywords

education for sustainable leadership; gender equality; competencies; higher education; women managers

Subject

Social Sciences, Education

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