The Power of Female Friendships: Building Strong Women’s Communities of Support

While in a meeting with some of my CEO girlfriends, we observed that the conversation had slowly shifted from family, food, and laughter to business and consultancy. The transition happened so seamlessly, and it was clear that it had everything to do with the diverse expertise and educational profiles present in the room.

We were sitting at a large, round table in a quiet corner of a trendy café, at the golf course surrounded by the hum of other professionals chatting and clinking coffee mugs. There were six of us in total, all women who had worked tirelessly to reach the top of our respective industries. Each of us had a unique journey, yet the common thread binding us together was our shared understanding of what it meant to rise as women in spaces where our voices weren’t always heard and our achievements weren’t always celebrated.

Modupe, the CEO of a Healthcare Startup, was the first to steer the conversation in a different direction. She had just returned from the United Kingdom and was eager to share her insights into the evolving healthcare landscape. Her eyes sparkled with excitement as she spoke. “You know, I met this incredible woman who’s pioneering AI in healthcare. It’s amazing what’s happening when women step into these spaces. She’s creating solutions that’ll revolutionize how we treat chronic diseases. I want to help bring that to our network.”

Suddenly, the conversation took a serious turn. Asia, who ran a consultancy firm for female executives, leaned in. “That’s incredible, Modupe. The work you’re doing to elevate women in healthcare is already impressive. Imagine the change we could create if we collaborated and shared resources with women in healthcare, tech, and finance!”

Without missing a beat, Zara, an award-winning author turned motivational speaker, jumped in. “Absolutely. But beyond collaboration, we need to start shaping the next generation. We need to mentor women who want to build businesses and careers, so they not only succeed but thrive sustainably.”

There it was—the subtle yet undeniable shift from light-hearted chatter to business strategy, driven not by a need for validation or competition, but by a shared, inherent desire to build something greater together. It was as if the weight of our collective experience had effortlessly elevated the conversation. We weren’t just friends; we were a powerhouse of support, ideas, and boundless potential.

As I looked around at the women in the room—each one glowing with ambition, their minds racing with ideas—I realized we weren’t just discussing success. We were creating a blueprint for a future where our success was bound by collaboration, not competition. We were united by the understanding that by lifting each other, we could go even higher.

Accelerating Action through Female Friendships

The potential of female friendships in accelerating meaningful change ties closely to several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially Goal 5: Gender Equality. But it also connects with broader goals related to quality education (SDG 4), decent work and economic growth (SDG 8), reduced inequality (SDG 10), and partnerships for the goals (SDG 17).

The power of female friendships—nurtured and transformed into strong communities of support—can catalyze collective progress. Here’s why:

1. Collective Strength in Numbers

When women come together, whether through friendship, mentorship, or professional collaboration, they form a unified front. This solidarity creates a robust network that amplifies individual voices, making it easier to break barriers that might have otherwise been insurmountable alone. Through accelerating action and coming together, women can challenge systemic inequalities, advocate for meaningful change, and make significant strides in fields where their presence has been historically overlooked.

2. Leveraging Diverse Expertise

The beauty of female friendships lies in the diversity of experiences and knowledge each woman brings. In our meeting, every one of us contributed a unique perspective from our respective industries, and that diversity made our collaboration even more impactful. By coming together, women can leverage their collective expertise to create innovative solutions to pressing global issues—showing that there is untapped potential that can be harnessed when women collaborate.

3. Creating Safe, Empowering Space

One of the most important aspects of accelerating action is creating safe spaces for women to learn, grow, and share their experiences. These spaces foster an environment where women feel supported, heard, and empowered to take risks. The support from other women in these spaces gives them the confidence to pursue their dreams, creating a feedback loop where those who succeed pass the torch to others, ensuring continuous progress and empowerment.

4. Building a Legacy of Empowerment

Accelerating action also means being intentional about creating a legacy of empowerment that will extend beyond our generation. By collaborating, women can build frameworks that not only address immediate needs but also leave a lasting impact for future generations. This can take the form of mentorship programs, educational platforms, or advocacy networks that will provide young women with the tools and support they need to succeed on their own terms.

5. Shifting from Competition to Collaboration

One of the most powerful shifts in our meeting was the move from competition to collaboration. Rather than viewing one another as rivals, we were driven by a common goal: empowerment. This shift allowed us to break free from traditional notions of rivalry, and instead, focus on collaboration as the driving force behind our success. By focusing on collective achievement rather than individual accolades, women can push boundaries and accomplish even greater things together.

6. Creating a Space for Supportive Men Allies

Creating a strong women’s community is not complete without supportive men allies. Men, as partners, colleagues, and advocates, can play a crucial role in dismantling systemic barriers that prevent women from reaching their full potential. Their involvement is not just a matter of fairness—it’s a strategic force that can enhance women’s empowerment initiatives. By partnering with men who are willing to support gender equality, we can accelerate change even further and create a truly inclusive environment for all.

Our Call to Action

As we left that café, it was not just as friends catching up over coffee—it was as a united force, ready to create a world where women rise together, side by side, with unwavering support. Our community wasn’t just about what we had accomplished—it was about what we could achieve together.