Exploratory Study of the Gender Equity in the North African AEC Industry and Academia: Ratios, Causes and Remedial Actions

Abstract

Women in the Architecture, Engineering and Construction (AEC) industry and academia are widely underrepresented as they represent no more than 10% of the total employed workforce and far less in leadership positions. The construction sector is a booming industry and AEC fields experience a significant shortage in terms of workforce hence integrating females would be a considerable opportunity. Women in the AEC fields is still undiscussed in African context. Therefore, this paper aims to cast light on this topic, fill this knowledge gap. Based on a survey involving African 121 male and female operators in north African AEC fields, this research investigated the females” integration in both office and construction site positions and revealed four categories of key obstacles hindering women's inclusion and retention: behavioral, cultural, personal, and organizational that involve a total of 11 key obstacles with on the top “Underestimation, presumptions, and sexual harassment by male colleagues or hierarchy”, The paper suggested 5 sections including 16 remedial actions: legal, organizational, personal, technological, and financial. The study could be a starting point, for both scholars to develop further studies and decision-makers to build founded strategies, toward innovative and efficient solutions for gender equity in the AEC industry and academia.