Gender disparity in the global engineering industry has been well documented, with a significant underrepresentation of women, particularly in leadership roles. The causes for the persistent underrepresentation of women in engineering fields have been widely researched, and many contributing factors have been identified. However, in spite of gender equity campaigns which aim to address these barriers, evidence shows that gender inequity remains endemic within engineering.
Gender pay gaps persist and women are poorly represented at leadership level. Stereotypes and biases continue to hinder career progress and fulfilment for women in engineering.
AWEC 2022 Symposium White Paper
Download link for AWEC A Collective Voice for Change
The White Paper ‘A Collective Voice for Change’ summarises the outcomes of the inaugural Advancing Women in Engineering & Construction (AWEC) Symposium held in Tāmaki Makaurau/Auckland in November 2022. The AWEC Symposium was designed to provide women the space to share their experiences and contribute their ideas on how to enact change towards a more equitable and diverse industry.
The event’s theme of ‘Reshaping the industry through the collective voice of women’ was primarily aimed at supporting the development and retention of women in the engineering sector and associated parts of the construction industry.
Eight workshops formed the main part of the symposium. These workshops allowed women to focus on the challenges that they face and investigate why change has stalled.