Analysing Gender Issues in the Australian Construction Industry through the Lens of Empowerment

Gender equality at work in male-dominated industries is conditioned by intrinsic systemic issues which established policies have, to a significant extent, failed to address, as women's participation remains under-represented. This study argues for the reappraisal of the issue through a different lens and carries out a systematic and thematic review of the literature on women in construction in Australia through a women's empowerment framework. Despite its usual application in gender inequality at work in development studies, the concept of empowerment lacks attention in the context of developed countries, particularly regarding the construction industry. Empowerment has been proved a useful overarching framework to analyse personal, relational, and environmental factors affecting women's ability to be or do. In the examined studies, there is significant focus on external barriers to women in construction, such 'organisational practices' (environmental), 'support' and 'others' attitudes and behaviour' (relational). There is, however, limited attention to more active stances of power, such as one's attitude (personal), control and capacity, in shifting power dynamics. The paper draws seven major findings, covering personal, relational and environmental dimensions, supported and supplemented by some international studies, and suggests the way forward for empowering women in construction.

Automated summary

This study highlights the challenges of gender equality in the construction industry, advocating for a reevaluation of the issue from the perspective of women's empowerment. The research focuses on analyzing various factors affecting women's abilities and behaviors in the industry. While existing studies often concentrate on external barriers faced by women in construction, such as organizational practices and attitudes of others, there is less attention given to more proactive aspects like personal attitudes, control, and capacity.