Guess Who?
Girls in Civil Edition
The construction industry has traditionally been male-dominated, but times are changing, and something we may not all be aware of, but women have contributed to the industry for years! And even today, women continue breaking barriers, excelling in various construction-related roles, and making a remarkable impact. It's vital that we recognize and celebrate their achievements, as well as inspire others to consider careers in construction, irrespective of gender.
And although women have achieved many accomplishments, they are still underrepresented and face many challenges.
Challenges That Women Face
Some of the challenges facing women in the construction industry include...
Gender bias and stereotypes
Underrepresentation
Limited recruitment and retention efforts
Workplace Culture and Harassment
Lack of access to training and development
Safety concerns
Work-life balance
Wage and opportunity gaps
Addressing these challenges requires concerted efforts from construction companies, industry associations, educational institutions, and policymakers. Promoting inclusive recruitment practices, fostering supportive workplace cultures, providing training and development opportunities, and addressing gender-based pay gaps are some strategies that can help overcome these challenges and create a more equitable construction industry for women.
What Can We Do?
Strategies for addressing gender disparities in the construction industry include:
Increasing awareness and education about the benefits of diversity and inclusion
Providing mentorship and leadership opportunities for women in construction
Encouraging more women to pursue careers in construction through recruitment and outreach programs
Embracing diversity and inclusion in the construction industry for better problem-solving and innovation
Attracting and retaining talented employees by promoting diversity and inclusion
Creating a positive work environment for everyone in the construction industry
Providing access to quality education and training programs for women in construction
Offering ongoing training and professional development opportunities for women to advance their careers
Ensuring women have the necessary skills and knowledge to succeed in the construction field
Supporting women in staying competitive in a rapidly changing industry.
Did You Know?
The current state of women in the construction industry is that they need to be more represented. According to the National Women's Law Center, women comprise only 9% of the construction industry workforce. This means that women face significant challenges in finding employment and advancing their careers in this field. Women numbered 10.9 percent of the entire U.S. construction workforce in 2022. On average, women in the U.S. earn 82.9 percent of what men make. The gender pay gap is significantly smaller in construction occupations, with women earning 95.5 percent of what men make on average.
Pioneers of the Construction Industry
We have chosen among engineers, surveyors, researchers, and traders 24 women who have contributed to the Construction and Civil Works industry. Check out a summary of their contributions.
Activities
How many in construction can you name? Do you know any women working in the construction industry? What are some contributions that women have made to the construction industry?
In this special edition of the classic game Guess Who?™, we'll showcase remarkable women in construction, accompanied by fascinating facts and statistics highlighting their significance and the importance of their representation within the construction industry.
Click the button below to download the template cards for the Guess Who?™ game: Girls in Civil Edition.