Rural Women’s Leadership Skills

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LEAP partners The Quebec Community Groups Network have launched a project for Rural Women's Leadership with workshops and activities developed in partnership with selected rural and remote English-speaking communities in Quebec. Women in these communities often face a precarious socioeconomic status. In some regions, the unemployment rate is twice that of the provincial average and the job market is traditionally male-dominated. To implement change, these women need access to training and resources which will allow them grow and excel as leaders.

The LEAP team is working with the QCGN to design, develop, and deliver a project that will address these and other issues with community-driven and action-oriented projects to foster creativity, skills development, and ultimately, leadership, amongst young adult women in rural English-speaking Quebec.

“Not only does this give participants the opportunity to practice their new skills, but it also allows these women to create a real and meaningful experience as they make a difference in their communities,” commented project coordinator Lise Palmer. “At the same time, communities are educated about the skills, abilities and strengths women in their region possess.”

This is a unique pilot project by the Quebec Community Groups Network in collaboration with the LEAP program at 3ci. It has been funded through Status of Women Canada's Women's Support Program.

Over the summer, a local group of young women will carry out a community project selected following a discussion between participants and community representatives from the Outaouais, Lower North Shore, and Gaspé regions.

“There are many opportunities for input and participation for community members,” explains coordinator Lise Palmer, who is overseeing the project on behalf of the QCGN. “Their presence at the initial project selection discussions has helped ensure that the project these women devote themselves to is not only something they feel strongly about, but also addresses a need clearly identified by the community.”

During their project, participating women will be calling on the support of the community for mentorship, guidance, support and participation to ensure its success. At the completion of the project, community members will be invited to attend a community celebration, when the new skills and leadership capacities of these dynamic women will be showcased.

“More importantly, upon the completion of this project, community members will gain the opportunity to invite these women to share their new-found expertise on advisory boards and project teams, within organizations as staff, and as volunteers,” said Palmer. Since input from the community is essential to the program’s success the QCGN is seeking community members interested in mentoring the young women.

Learn more about this project: QCGN Rural Women's Leadership project description

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