This week celebrated not only International Women’s Day but also Women in Construction Week. We are fortunate to work with many females in our business community, including our Operations and Safety Officer Amanda Karpus. Amanda is a member of the National Association of Women in Construction and recently applied to join the Cleveland Chapter. Amanda was also recently selected as a judge for The American Business Awards known as the Stevie Awards.
This year, the International Women's Day theme is #BreakTheBias.
"Whether deliberate or unconscious, bias makes it difficult for women to move ahead," the IWD website states. "Knowing that bias exists isn't enough. Action is needed to level the playing field."
The United Nations also announces themes for International Women's Day. For 2022, it focuses on women in the context of climate change: "Gender equality today for a sustainable tomorrow."
Demex values the ideas, knowledge, and skillset women bring to our industry, not just this week, but every day. We continue to defy the odds and strive to ensure that no female employee faces what others in the industry do. According to the New England Institute of Technology, the Top 4 challenges for Women in Construction are:
Pay Gap: Statistics reveal that 43% of organizations do not actively monitor gender pay gaps. @ Demex: Female employees earn equal or more than their male counterparts.
Exclusion: 8 out of 10 women feel left out at company social events and gatherings. @ Demex: “I feel anything but left out at our company events. We have monthly company-wide meals, where Chef Ian cooks up something amazing and it's like a family dinner. Some of the best conversations I've had happened in that space.” - Amanda Karpus. The women in our company are vital to our culture and success, we wouldn't be who we are without them which lends itself to the natural inclusion of them not only professionally but socially as well.
Lack of Advancement: Over 70% of female construction workers feel passed over for roles because of their gender. @ Demex: Our operations are headed by a female, she advanced her way through the company since 2018.
Shortage of Role Models: More than 45% of women in construction have never worked with female construction managers. @ Demex: Having a female at the helm of operations, we hope to inspire other women in construction to enter into Marine Construction for their careers.
HISTORY OF WOMEN IN CONSTRUCTION WEEK
“The history of Women in Construction Week is linked with that of the National Association of Women in Construction. It was first called Women in Construction of Fort Worth, founded in 1953 by 16 women working in the construction industry. It was created in order to support the few women working in construction at the time.
It later became the National Association of Women in Construction. The association has since gone on to ease the passage of women into construction, helping to create awareness and better working space for those who desire to work in the industry. It has about 115 chapters across the country.
The National Association of Women in Construction “offers its members education, support and networking to help advance their careers in construction, build their technical skills, and become leaders.” Every woman in construction is welcome to join the association.
In 1960, Women in Construction Week was introduced in honor of the association. Through the celebration of women in construction, and the numerous efforts of the association, many more women have taken the bold step to venture into the industry, which is predominantly filled with men.”
