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International Women’s Day 2025

This Saturday, 8th March, marks International Women’s Day. During my time working with the Scottish Community Mediation Centre, I have met many women who have gone on to become mediators. One of the discussions in our training courses is the importance of showing empathy with a client in distress. Demonstrating empathy, along with the personal skills that enable a mediator to break down barriers between themselves and their clients, is something I have seen many women in our training demonstrate exceptionally well.

Whenever I meet a group of mediators or work with a new intake of learners, it is clear that this type of work attracts women. Often, they form the majority in the room. Clearly, there are skills, qualities, and values that contribute to becoming a good mediator, and these can make mediation an appealing career for women. However, this does not mean that all female mediators share the same approach. I recall one close colleague who loved nothing more than a good argument. For her, debating a point helped clarify her thinking, refine her reasoning, and shape the best way to present her perspective. For this particular mediator, engaging in debate was not about conflict, but about achieving greater understanding.

Women often spend much of their lives mediating - within their families, workplaces, and relationships. Perhaps the reason so many excel in mediation is that they have been applying some of these skills in their daily lives long before considering it as a profession. It may be that their experiences naturally lead them towards formalising these skills into a career. It is often said that women are peacemakers, and so many of the abilities that make a great mediator - listening, understanding, and encouraging an open dialogue -come naturally.

So as we celebrate International Women’s Day, let us take this opportunity to acknowledge the women around us who willingly step into situations of conflict to help all parties find a better way forward, build consensus and mediate agreements.