Gender Bias in the Australian Construction Industry: Women’s Experience in Trades and Semi-Skilled Roles

Abstract

While most industry sectors in the Australian workforce have consistently improved regarding the participation of women, the construction industry remains an exception. Despite multiple gender equality initiatives and regulations at all levels of the Australian Government, the proportion of women employed in the construction industry has steadily declined. In 2020, only 1% of the trades and technician positions in the Australian construction industry were filled by women. In this qualitative study, interviews were undertaken with 43 women working in trades and semi-skilled roles to identify the varying types of gender biases experienced by women and the resultant harms that these biases create. Biases consisted of challenges to credibility; characteristics of the work environment comprising support, amenities, conditions of employment, career development, and access to meaningful work; gender stereotypes about women’s work roles; and objectification. Each of these biases has a cumulative impact on women, leading to systemic and structural discrimination. The implications and suggestions for strategies to address biases are discussed, including the need for structural interventions to create epistemic justice and recognition for women working in construction.