Breaking barriers: the role of women in the Portuguese construction industry, by Adriana Coutinho Director of Marketing and Communications at MAP Engenharia | Associate WIRE

In this article, Adriana Coutinho states that “construction, like art, brings with it the magic and responsibility of leaving a legacy. Something that lasts beyond us. That’s why the completion of any work is so celebrated. Something has been born there ‘forever’ and for others.

But to get down to the specific purpose of this article, I am aware that the presence of women in the construction sector is a constantly evolving reality.

The women who have chosen to pursue a career in this field face enormous challenges, but they also celebrate their return. I conducted a series of interviews with women working at MAP Engineering, both in headquarters and in the field, to find out more about their reasons for choosing this profession, their experiences in the industry and their perceptions of the much debated gender equality subject.

I focused on what made them choose a career in construction. The answers were varied, with an emotional and affective impact, ranging from family influences to dedicated and inspiring teachers or family experiences of construction projects.

A significant number of women explained that their choice was simply a passion for the challenges on site, the dynamics of the job and the opportunities for career progression.

Given the demanding nature of construction work, some colleagues point to the lack of family time as a challenging factor. Unequal pay and gender stereotypes are barriers that urgently need to be overcome.

Unequal pay is cited as the most striking difference and the one that bothers them the most. They see significant differences between the salaries of men and women doing the same work.

Perceptions of gender equality in the construction industry vary widely. Some mention that there is still a long way to go, especially on construction sites. The lack of equality is often attributed to cultural issues, where traditional gender roles still influence perceptions and practices in the workplace. Others, however, feel that they are on an equal footing, particularly in commercial or site management roles.

This insider’s view reveals to me a complex picture of the construction sector, with both challenges and opportunities. As a professional looking for the best angles of truth to catapult a company’s image, it’s important to put the issue on the table, and that’s why I’m associated with WIRE. It’s not my phrase, but I heard at a conference a while back that ‘the (business) world will only be equal when there are incompetent women in leadership’. It made me think and I hope it made you think too.

The good news is that there is a way forward. There’s still a long way to go, but this growing awareness of the importance of equal opportunities and recognising talent is helping to chart this path of no return. Companies that want to be seen as modern, innovative and ESG practitioners cannot afford to risk failing to deliver on their promises.

As long as challenges such as pay inequality, gender stereotypes or discrimination persist, movements like WIRE’s will be essential in helping to evolve organisational cultures and social norms. There is room for a more inclusive and diverse construction industry, with women playing a key role in the development and progress of the sector. At MAP Engineering we have around 30 per cent women in the workforce and 45 per cent in senior management. The journey is on and I hope to have different figures to share in a future article, ensuring that we continue to break down barriers and make Portuguese companies a more efficient and happier place to work.

Thank you to all the women who contributed to this short article.”

Read full article at Público Imobiliário