Although the construction industry is becoming more and more diverse every year, men still make up over 80% of the demographic.

With the growing number of women joining the construction industry, it’s important for men to be allies for women on jobsites. Being a male ally for women in construction involves actively supporting and advocating for gender equality in a traditionally male-dominated field. 

Educate Yourself 

To be a good ally, it’s important to educate yourself on a woman’s experiences in the industry. Learn about the challenges women face in the construction industry and understanding the issues—like gender bias, unequal opportunities, and harassment—will help you be more effective in supporting women in the industry and can also help build stronger connections with your team. During Women in Construction Week, there are many valuable resources like webinars where women share their experiences on jobsites and even educational sessions that encourage men to become allies for women. 

Understanding privilege  

Because men make up most of the construction work force, they hold many privileges that can be used to support women in the industry. Use these privileges to amplify a woman’s voice and listen to their concerns in any situation. Give women a platform to share their experiences and perspectives in meetings and in leadership positions. This can help ensure their contributions are recognized and valued. 

Creating diversity in the industry  

Being an advocate for women in the industry creates a workplace culture that values diversity and inclusion. This includes encouraging respectful communication, providing training on unconscious bias, and ensuring that all voices are heard. Advocate for policies that support work-life balance for everyone, recognizing that women may face additional challenges like caregiving and childcare.  

Become a mentor  

Offer mentorship and guidance to women entering or advancing in the field. Your experience and support can help them navigate their careers more effectively. NAWIC offers a Male Ally Mentoring Program for men in the industry who want to go beyond talking about greater gender equity in construction. The Male Allies Mentoring program is a commitment to 5 online modules over 10 weeks with working group discussions lead by male sponsors. The program allows you to start a group in your organization to help men your team become better allies for women in the field. 

Be an Active Participant 

Being an ally is an active commitment. It’s important to hold yourself accountable and reflect on your own actions and biases, learning from your mistakes in order to improve the support for gender equity in the industry. Don’t just support women when it’s convenient. Be consistently engaged in promoting gender equality and addressing any issues with stereotypes or discriminatory remarks when you see them.  

NAWIC provides support, networking and mentorship, leadership training and educational opportunities for more than 5,500 members in 120 chapters across the U.S. Want to know more? Contact a chapter near you.