Because someone asked. simple.
When women started to get in touch with Wellness Walks and ask us if we’d put on some ‘women only’ courses, our first thought was “sure, why not!” We want as many people as possible to have the skills to get out into nature. Simple.
These courses always create discussion and it is mostly positive. However there are still comments and challenge from people uncomfortable with the seeming segregation or concerned that they are a lower standard in some way, and we felt we should address that, openly and honestly.
At the simplest level they provide an opportunity for women to spend time in the hills with other women, something they may have limited options to do otherwise.
The reasons people join these courses are wide ranging. From “the dates fit” to “I’d like to meet some like minded women” to “I feel more comfortable trying new things without worrying about holding the guys up”. The reasons are many and varied because people are many and varied.
So what's different on these courses?
The content and standard of these courses is the same as any other course. We’ll tailor the venue, delivery styles, pace, order and challenge to match the participants needs and provide any reasonable adjustments needed for participants to take part to their full potential. This isn’t because it’s a women’s course though, it’d because that’s good course delivery and we’d do it for everyone!
While the content and quality is the same it’s the community that’s different. Whenever we come together with other people we create a community. It could be for a day, 2 days, a week or months or longer. It could be the people on your course or trip, the other people you see involved from a distance, the online community or even the wider community of participants in the whole of the outdoors. Feeling part of a community is a key building block of our sense of self, a foundational way of becoming engaged and enthused. It matters.
Joining a course, a community, of any kind comes with an element of emotional and relational risk as well as the more obvious physical risk inherent in adventurous activities. While these risks may be actual or perceived they are both real. We’re sure lots of people can relate to the night before worries:
“what if no one likes me.” “what if I’m too slow/unfit for the group?”, “everyone else will know lots and I’m not sure I do”, “my kits not great, everyone will have really good stuff ”
For women there are often added worries “what if I’m the only woman?”, “my bag is always so much heavier than others and it slows me down but I really need to bring that extra warm stuff”, “I don’t want to hold everyone up while I go for a wee”, “the kit list says stiff boots but I can’t find any in my size” ,“I’m so tired and sluggish in the week before my period…what if my period starts while we’re out”, “I just can’t visualise the map in real life but if I keep asking I’ll look like the silly woman who can’t do directions”
Being part of any under represented group and taking part in an activity that challenges gender or cultural norms it can be difficult to connect to the activity, find people that share your values or work out where you fit in to the community. A women’s only course can provide a lower “risk” way for some women to find their place. Feeling part of the community, like you fit in and that there are other people like you, reinforces the message that you belong, are welcome and have space to thrive.
For some women, a female only space is about stretching their circle to include more people rather than to exclude men. For others it’s about ensuring they are in a circle of only women because for whatever reason they’d prefer that. Both are very valid and individual choices.
What is a course like?
Our most recent women’s course offered an opportunity for the participants to be unreservedly themselves, to have the freedom to learn without feeling less than, and a chance to share experiences and support each other in ways they might not otherwise experience. In among the skills, the chat ranged from favourite hill snacks to working with fluctuating hormones when planning mountain days. A business idea designing and manufacturing outdoor kit in all sizes for women who want to wear clothing that is technical, colourful and modest. The joys of rare time to do exactly what was good for you.
One of this weekend’s participants said:
Some of this chat might have happened on a mixed course but we’re certain it wouldn’t of been so open, easy, honest or funny.
Success was unashamedly celebrated without the fear of being judged as “pushy” or “too much”. Frustrations and doubt were able to be expressed without worrying about being seen as “too emotional” or enduring an eye roll and inevitable murmur of “must be that time of the month” – something every participant reported experiencing in the past.
And we ALL learnt stuff – hard skills & soft skills, more about ourselves, each other and the various communities we already belong to and want to create.
Ultimately its all about providing ways for as many people as possible to explore our countryside and mountains. To connect with themselves and other people. And to enjoy the benefits of walking in green space whatever that means for them. If women’s only courses provide that for some people, then no-one get’s to say that they are unnecessary and we are delighted to offer them.