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

Authors :
Cynthia Changxin Wang
Eveline Mussi
Riza Yosia Sunindijo
Source :
Buildings, Vol 11, Iss 11, p 553 (2021)
Publication Year :
2021
Publisher :
MDPI AG, 2021.

Abstract

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.

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
20755309
Volume :
11
Issue :
11
Database :
Directory of Open Access Journals
Journal :
Buildings
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
edsdoj.fa189794a0b94c35aac400d66b967726
Document Type :
article
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings11110553