Mako Oishi: Unlocking the Potential of Female Students

Spring 2013. Through a series of coincidences, I ended up participating in a workshop hosted by Hanalabo. It was a six-month project focused on revitalizing a literary museum in Yokohama, covering everything from ideation to execution. To be honest, I was full of anxiety, as I didn't think I had the skills to create anything myself.

Once I joined, the program—based on design thinking—was refreshing for someone like me who tended to look for the "correct" answer, and above all, it was fun. After the ideation workshop, I worked hard to make those ideas a reality. While I relied heavily on the help of those around me, it led to results beyond my expectations, and the process was a continuous series of realizations that "I actually had this kind of strength in me." Since then, through Hanalabo, I have met many wonderful senior women and found opportunities to expand my own potential.

I wanted to give back to Hanalabo. After graduation, I took a job at a private company, but I had no hesitation about staying involved with Hanalabo as a pro bono staff member. I participated in various programs and witnessed the transformation of the students. My desire to further expand Hanalabo's activities grew stronger, and I just took the step to become a co-representative last year.

When talking to female students, there are still moments when I feel they have unconsciously internalized gender biases, such as the pressure to behave in a "feminine" way. I believe this sometimes leads them to underestimate their own abilities or narrow their choices. As a result, many women say they lack confidence because they haven't been blessed with opportunities to take on challenges.

Hanalabo provides various programs for female students to experience knowing themselves, testing themselves, understanding society, and engaging with society. Projects are basically conducted only by members of the same gender, and we do not appoint leaders. This allows them to experiment with their own style of leadership freely, without being bound by the femininity expected by society. Even if they fail, the act of taking something on is wonderful in itself. We strive to design programs that build self-efficacy through small successes, such as conducting careful reflections involving professional women.

Through Hanalabo's activities, I hope as many women as possible will realize their own potential and take a positive step forward as active participants in shaping society. I want to continue taking on challenges myself as well.