Women-only networks have been lauded as crucial spaces for empowerment, support, and career development. These networks provide a safe environment where women can share experiences, build relationships, and mentor one another. They are especially important in industries where women are underrepresented, offering a much-needed source of solidarity. However, while these networks offer support, they don’t necessarily address the deeper issue of power imbalance in the workplace—the very imbalance that keeps women from securing decision-making roles or truly integrating into spaces where power resides.

The issue lies in the fact that women-only networks, by design, are separate from the mainstream power structures. They offer a retreat, but not a solution to the problem at hand. Women are encouraged to grow, succeed, and build connections, yet this success often remains isolated from the broader power dynamics at play. In industries and organizations dominated by men, a women-only network doesn’t alter the fundamental fact that most of the decision-making seats—those that hold the true influence—are still occupied by men.

Getting a “seat at the table” isn’t just about having the right qualifications or knowing the right people; it’s about being part of the conversation in the spaces where power is wielded. Without integration into these power structures, women remain sidelined, even if they’re thriving within their own supportive networks.

To truly create lasting change, we need to shift from segregation to integration. It’s not enough to create spaces where women can succeed apart from the mainstream; we must focus on bringing women into the rooms where the big decisions are made. Gender equality isn’t just about more women in leadership roles—it’s about equal influence in the spaces that shape outcomes. Women-only networks should not be the end goal, but a stepping stone toward breaking down the barriers that prevent women from claiming their rightful place at the table.

Ultimately, while these networks support growth, they must also push for true inclusion within the circles of power. Only then can we achieve meaningful equality.