Gender-responsive programming: a qualitative exploration of women's experiences of a gender-neutral cognitive skills programme

Abstract

This study examined the experiences of seven women attending the pilot of a new cognitive skills programme in custody. The women were interviewed individually, and four took part in a focus group, one week after finishing a gender-neutral programme. Responses were subject to content analysis. Results indicated that the women felt the programme was relevant to their needs, that they experienced change as a result of the programme, and felt the collaborative facilitation style was responsive to their needs. However, all of the women described disengaging from the programme at points, and the majority felt that they would have been able to engage in the material more meaningfully had the programme been longer. Practical ways of improving the responsivity of programmes for women offenders are discussed.

Keywords:

• gender responsivity
• rehabilitation
• cognitive skills
• women offenders

Acknowledgement

The author would like to thank Dr. Ruth Mann for her invaluable insight and guidance on earlier drafts of this paper.