THE all-female leadership programme, SistersIN, which is dedicated to enabling, empowering, and developing young girls across Northern Ireland, has announced it has tripled in size in 2024. 

Almost 400 Sixth Form schoolgirls from 28 schools are participating in the programme this year, including a student from Enniskillen’s Mount Lourdes Grammar School. 

The programme's growth not only signals the ongoing demand for professional development opportunities for young women, but also a willingness from the local business community to support female leaders of tomorrow.

SisterIN founder, Peter Dobbin, highlighted how important it is to provide young girls with meaningful development opportunities. 

"Tripling our participant numbers in 2024 is a testament to the dedication of our partner schools, our mentors and, most importantly, the young girls who have been involved," he said.

"It’s incredible to think that this year we’re supporting 400 schoolgirls from across Northern Ireland, many of whom may not otherwise have had the opportunity to experience such a sustained period of one-to-one leadership."

This year, programme participants will host a major celebration event at ICC Belfast on Tuesday, March 12, with more than 800 people expected to attend. 

Julia Corkey, Chief Executive of ICC Belfast, Waterfront Hall and Ulster Hall, and founding partner of SistersIN, said: "We really value our partnership with SistersIN, and this year we are delighted to offer our venue and event management services once more.

"The hands-on experience the students gain from shadowing our team to organise this year's celebration event, gives them a glimpse of what it takes to deliver a world-class business event."