SistersIN Empowers 659 Sixth-Form Girls Across Northern Ireland in Leadership Journey

• Northern Ireland's sixth-form girls participate in the innovative leadership program SistersIN
• It helped 659 young women from 49 schools in the last year
• The program's goal is to mentor participants as they develop into tomorrow's leaders

SistersIN, a pioneering leadership programme for sixth-form girls throughout Northern Ireland, has helped 659 young women from 49 schools in the last year become future leaders.

The achievement was unveiled on the occasion of the launch of SistersIN's 2025 Impact Report, which was organized by Danske Bank, marking the programme’s three-year anniversary. Intended as an eight-month leadership development journey, SistersIN increases confidence and broadens professional prospects by matching students with female business, education, or public sector mentors.

Since its launch in 2022, the programme has expanded dramatically — boosting student take-up by 250 percent and increasing its network of schools five-fold. Within just the last year alone, the number of mentors is up 101 percent, and organisational engagement has risen by 91 percent. Remarkably, 77 percent of the schools that are taking part are now medium to high in terms of pupils being eligible for free school meals, which demonstrates a clear emphasis on access and inclusivity.

The report points out SistersIN's special blend of leadership development, mentoring, and practical project work. On average, the participants influenced 20 individuals through their project activities, and this year's group collectively reached 13,475 people in Northern Ireland.

Peter Dobbin, SistersIN Chair, labelled the programme as "a bold idea turned proven model" that is empowering hundreds of girls with the skills and motivation to lead. "This programme is about more than personal achievement — it's about creating a more equal and inspiring society through collective action," he said.

The conference included participants from throughout the programme's support network, including Rob McConnell (CEO, ICC Belfast), Mairead Scott (Managing Director, MCS Recruitment), and students Isabella (Victoria College) and Ellen (Methodist College), who gave first-hand accounts of the initiative's effects.

Aisling Press, Managing Director of Personal Banking at Danske Bank and Vice Chair of SistersIN, emphasized the broader community benefits of the programme. “This year, we’ve seen girls lead projects focused on mental health, sports, environmental action, and financial education. As mentors, we’re continually inspired by the next generation’s energy and vision.”

The report also mentions regarding trends in the confidence levels of teenage girls, which decline between the ages of 14 and 18. Whereas 36 percent of 13-year-old girls identify themselves as confident, the percentage plummets to a mere 23 percent by the age of 18.

SistersIN participant Isabella shared how the programme transformed her confidence. “I used to be anxious and afraid to speak up in class. Now, thanks to the programme and my mentor, I’m more outgoing, confident, and aware of the many career paths available to me.”

Looking to the future, SistersIN is keen to recruit new mentors and partners to support its aims of promoting leadership and building a more equal future for young women in Northern Ireland.