The construction sector is widely recognized globally as a key driver of economic progress within nations. It stands as one of the largest industrial employers worldwide. The global construction industry size reached $8.2 trillion in 2022 and is projected to reach $17 trillion by 2029. Scholars have underscored the interconnectedness of the construction industry with all other sectors of the economy, supporting the assertion that construction outputs serve as the nucleus of economic activity.
However, despite this pivotal role, the construction industry has traditionally exhibited significant gender stratification, resulting in minimal female participation. While women are increasingly engaged in managerial, technical, and specialized roles within the industry, their representation at the professional level remains exceedingly low, often less than 1% of the labor force in many countries. There were approximately 1.8 million men employed in construction in the UK as of the fourth quarter of 2023, compared with 297,000 women.
In Nigeria, demographic data from the National Population Commission (2012) indicates a population estimate of 167 million, with women comprising 49% of the active age group, a substantial portion of whom reside in rural areas according to the National Bureau of Statistics. The prevailing assumption is that without substantial empowerment of women, the country’s economic growth prospects are hindered.
The 2012 Gender in Nigeria Report advocates for investment in women and girls as a means to enhance productivity and foster sustainable development. Despite increasing awareness and calls for action to empower women and combat poverty by leveraging their potential for revenue generation and resource management, female participation in the construction sector remains strikingly low in Nigeria. In Nigeria, women make up only 16.3% of the construction profession, this is despite the fact that women possess valuable skills, such as attention to detail, which are particularly relevant in project control and management roles.
Furthermore, empirical evidence indicates that female executives excel in communication, decision-making, and prioritize collective success over personal recognition compared to their male counterparts. Women commonly encounter challenges as they progress in their careers, particularly in non-traditional fields like construction. Due to the perceived unattractiveness of the construction industry and various factors influencing career choices, a limited number of women opt for careers in construction. This results in the inadequate implementation of provisions outlined in the Employment Equity Act in Nigeria, a lack of empowerment for women, and a skills shortage within the construction industry. Despite numerous initiatives and increased awareness of the importance of women’s participation in the industry, coupled with efforts to address diversity and inequality in the workforce, women still constitute a small minority of those employed in the construction sector.
Participation of Women in construction
Developed Countries’ Experience
Traditionally, women have been vastly underrepresented in the construction environment profession. Therefore, there is a critical need for research to explore the reasons behind women’s limited entry into this field. In the United Kingdom, the percentage of women employed in the built environment has remained relatively stable, hovering between 10% and 12% of the entire workforce from 1990 to 2005. This stability is observed despite a growing demand for professionals in engineering and quantity surveying, leading the UK government to explore strategies to encourage women’s participation in traditionally male-dominated roles.
In the United States, the construction environment profession stands as the fastest-growing industry for women. Although women make up only about 3% of the industry’s workforce, an increasing number of women are establishing their own businesses within the field. Government initiatives aimed at awarding contracts to women-owned businesses have contributed to this trend. While markets tend to treat women differently from men, efforts are underway to recognize women as individuals deserving of equal opportunities.
Across the European Union, the average female workforce participation in the construction industry is approximately 10%. However, there is considerable variation among member countries. Countries like Austria and Germany lead with 13.5% and 12% respectively, while others such as Greece, Malta, and Portugal have significantly lower participation rates ranging from 2% to 4.3%. Many member countries exhibit participation rates between 5% and 9%, with some, including Romania, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Bulgaria, Lithuania, and France, reaching 9% to 10%. Notably, the majority of women employed in the construction industry across the European Union hold administrative, technical, and professional roles rather than trades positions. In the UK, for instance, 78% of women in the construction industry are engaged in administrative work. Furthermore, women constitute less than 6% of construction workers in specialized and managerial positions within the industry.
Nigeria’ s Experience
The collective percentage of women actively participating in various economic endeavors in Nigeria stands at 43.1%, while men comprise 56.9% of the workforce. Despite this seemingly balanced ratio, the disparity becomes apparent when considering the top revenue-generating sectors, where women’s involvement remains notably low, constituting a mere 0.2% compared to men’s 3.2% participation. In Nigeria, research on women’s engagement in construction is scarce compared to studies conducted in more developed nations. Although examinations of the informal housing delivery sector within Nigeria’s construction industry indicate minimal female involvement, this phenomenon is largely attributed to cultural norms and values prevalent among the country’s diverse ethnic groups.
These cultural norms encompass practices such as polygamy, a preference for male heirs, societal biases against female education, and the marginalization of unmarried women. Additionally, certain economic activities are predominantly designated for men due to entrenched cultural traditions. While UNESCO (1995) recognizes significant strides in enhancing women’s access to education and opportunities, thereby theoretically improving their economic participation, the current upward trend in women’s involvement in the Nigerian construction sector may not translate into substantive representation without a reassessment of strategies and the adoption of innovative approaches.
Strategies to Improve Women Participation in the Construction Industry
Research on professional women indicates that the most effective strategies for increasing women’s participation in the built environment profession in Nigeria include raising awareness among young women about opportunities in construction, ensuring better representation of women, and expanding the influence of women within the industry. These findings align with previous studies that have shown when clear career paths are provided regardless of gender, women are more likely to remain in the industry.
It is noteworthy that both women professionals and employers rank raising awareness among young women about construction opportunities as the top strategy. Additionally, offering flexible working hours and scholarships for secondary school and university students to pursue degrees in the construction profession are identified as effective strategies for enhancing women’s involvement in construction.
Moreover, networking and mentorship programs are recognized as effective means of retaining female workers in the construction sector. Establishing peer support systems or mentor-protégé relationships is perceived as vital for both attracting and retaining women in construction roles. By implementing these strategies, Nigeria can create a more inclusive and diverse environment within the construction profession, ultimately fostering greater participation and representation of women in the industry.
