Pioneer-thinking, ethical businesses with strong core values are already striving to achieve gender diversity and inclusivity. This is because even as we move to the actualization of one of Kenya’s vision 2030 goals on gender diversity, businesses recognize that it is the right thing to do and understand the value it brings on board. Gender diversity is about striving to grant equity to both genders. For this to happen, there is a strong need to create a working environment and a culture that allows female talent to thrive.
It is notable to say that women have made immense strides in the workplace over the last few decades when it comes to career progression and the fight for equality in pay. Lying subtly below all this progression in the workplace for women is the stereotypical assignment of gender roles and unconscious biases that no one wants to talk about. While most industries have had a gradual increase in the number of women employees, getting women into construction has been considerably difficult. According to a construction capacity survey held by NCA in 2014, it was found that women were underrepresented in the construction industry occupying only 19% with only 7% of them owning construction contracting firms. Another article published by the standard in 2012 pointed out that according to a survey carried out by BORAQS in 2012, women professionals in the industry accounted for only 6% of the construction industry professionals.
To get it right in the construction industry, one of the things that need to be tackled is the unconscious bias and sexism. Women who want to venture or have ventured into construction have either been deterred or discouraged by sexism. It is notable that men are accorded more respect and do not need validation when it comes to this industry.