The impact of women-only networks across the world is a growing phenomenon. Women, having always been excluded from workplaces, social spaces, and business networks, have taken the initiative and started up on their own. The intrinsic gender prejudices in traditional networks have also nudged women towards building their own communities, be it for entrepreneurship and funding, moms, tech, or other facets of living.

There are few things as satisfying as being a part of a circle of women as small or large as it might be and knowing that you have an empowering, encouraging bunch who have your back.

These communities are instrumental in encouraging women to be their best selves and realising that we are stronger when we come together. We trust that women who are empowered have the power to bring about positive change in the world.

How women communities help raise their power:

In a world where women are disproportionately targeted by online bullying, they often end up reducing their online presence or alter it to avoid negative interactions.

The best guidance is more likely to come from someone who has experienced what you are going through. Most women admit they are emboldened by the knowledge that they are not alone in facing issues like workplace gender bias, domestic violence, reproductive health concerns etc, and that they are inspired to help other women in the community by sharing the knowledge they have gained through their experiences.

Women understand one anothers concerns, embarrassments,joys, and obstacles. Women communities foster empathy while also serving as a robust support system in more ways than one.

The importance of relationships should be valued in both personal and professional capacity.

As women are gradually, butcertainly trying to bridge the gapin the business industry, there are moreopportunitiesfor female entrepreneurs and professionals to climb the corporate ladder.

Today, women account for 40 percent of the global workforce and are at the helm of major establishments, yet there is no dearth of setbacks women face each day while pursuing their ambitions.

Online communities are committed to supporting women in global supply chains, and are set out to understand how to address the challenges holding back progress on womens economic empowerment.

From professional accomplishments and guidance, to mental health support and workplace obstacles women communities become spaces where women can share career advice and create opportunities for each other, together.

Women often end up getting trapped in unconscious patterns of behaviour, which are detrimental to their growth and success.

To put it across very simply, empowering women is about sharing your experiences with one another in hopes that your words and actions will inspire, and more importantly, uplift them. It is all about helping other women enhance and enrich themselves.

Media and culture lack authentic representations of women; from products we cannot use to stories we do not identify with.

From the classroom to the boardroom, women's opinions have been hushed, disregarded, interrupted, mocked, or mansplained. Women are schooled not only to ask permission, apologise, hedge and speak up, but also to self-doubt and self-censor. Women communities change this. They become stages whereupon women are handed the mic, and find the confidence to raise their voice and their power.

Contrary to popular sexist beliefs, women can be womens biggest supporters. Judgement and enmity come from centuries of being put in competition with one another.

But when women are put in the same team, they can push each other to be more successful just by encouraging and motivating them.

As women, we are multi-dimensional and we want to succeed in all aspects of our lives, including at home and in our careers. At work, we are often reticent to try things before we feel we are 100 percent ready or qualified.

If you are part of a women empowerment community, encourage your girls to get out of her comfort zone. Set expectations high because she is capable of achieving them. Create an environment for her to feel safe in her crucial decision making processes, and also hold her back up as she tries to rise from her falls and moves on.

(Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of YourStory.)

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The importance of women communities and how they help women become empowered - YourStory