Gender-Based Challenges in the Construction Industry: Perceptions from Two Generations

Gender-based challenges have persisted in the construction industry for decades, leading to underrepresentation of women in the industry. This chapter reports the perceptions of two generations of women on the severity of gender-based challenges in the construction industry. It is based on a cross-sectional survey design with the use of questionnaires. The findings indicate a statistically significant difference between the perceptions of both generations on lack of role models as a gender-based challenge at p = 0.000 < 0.05. The younger generation identified gender stereotyping as the most severe gender-based challenge, while the older generation ranked lack of female role models as the most severe gender-based challenge. The severity of the gender-based challenges was perceived from different perspectives. While the younger generation assessed the most severe gender-based challenges from a foundational or systemic point of view, the older generation perceived the gender-based challenge from a succession or sustainability perspective. This study is useful for the implementation of inclusive gender policies for the construction industry. It is also helpful in addressing intersectionality among women in the construction industry by ensuring that gender solutions and policies are not skewed toward a group of women or a particular demography of women.