International Women's Day (IWD) is celebrated on March 8 every year and is the focal point in the movement for the rights and acknowledgement of the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women.
The theme of IWD 2020 is #EachforEqual - highlighting how an equal world is an enabled world and we must all raise awareness against bias and take action for equality and gender parity.
This is particularly important in the UK construction industry, where there are still only:
- 3% of women in manual trades;
- 5% of women in engineering;
- 8% of women in haulage; and
- 12% of women in professional roles.
It's clear from these numbers that a lot more has to be done in order to encourage more women into the industry and make it a more diverse and inclusive profession as a whole.
From easy steps such as raising awareness of female construction workers on social media (see our call for Instagram submissions) to bigger actions like mentoring others, giving talks, conducting construction site tours, or participating in the Women in Construction World Series, there are a lot of ways to help the movement to improve the gender-balance in the construction industry.
The question is, how will YOU help forge a gender-equal world?
We asked our speakers to answer this question ahead of their sessions at the Women in Construction Summit 2020. They shared their thoughts with us and even struck the #EachforEqual campaign pose:
Manon Bradley
Development Director at Major Projects Association
"This International Women's Day, I will help to forge for a gender-equal world by smashing gender stereotypes with my powerlifting skills. I will also help other women to find their gender-busting strength in powerlifting and show the world that women can work and thrive in this male-dominated sector".
Lucy Maddin-Uden
Group Strategic Project Manager: Heathrow Expansion at Keltbray Group
"By supporting and championing my fellow women and their achievements, not only through words but through action. Action is the only thing that works"!
Jo Field
Founder and Managing Director at JFG Communications
"Through my passion for gender diversity and my expertise in stakeholder engagement, I've set up JFG Communications, a boutique public affairs consultancy with a focus on campaigning for gender diversity in male-dominated industries".
So, what are you waiting for? Join the movement!
Learn from inspiring industry figures and have your voice heard at the Women in Construction Summit, taking place on 9 December, 2020 at the ExCel, London. Two days of impactful presentations, workshops and networking opportunities that you don't want to miss!
Follow the Women in Construction World Series on social media:
Twitter @WiCSeries
Facebook @WomenInConstructionWorldSeries
Instagram @WomenInConstructionWorldSeries
LinkedIn Women in Construction Summit
#WinConstruction
