What is Women in Construction Week?
Women in Construction week is a week-long event that celebrates and advocates for women in the construction industry. This annual event was founded by the National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) in 1998 to spread awareness about systemic issues that affect women in a traditionally male-dominated industry.
This year, Women in Construction Week is March 2nd–8th with the theme “Together We Rise.” Every year, this week provides free training, educational resources, and networking to help women in construction develop their professional skills and foster an inclusive workplace.
Women in Construction: Fast Facts
- In the last decade, the number of women in construction has increased by 45%.1
- As of 2025, there are over 1.3 million women employed in construction nationwide.2
- In 2023, women made up 10.8% of the construction workforce in the United States.3
- 39% of women in construction are in leadership roles.4
- The gender wage gap has decreased by 16.8%.5
Challenges & Stereotypes
Construction has typically been a male-dominated field so there are plenty of stereotypes that can create a toxic environment and make women feel isolated or underestimated. Often, women are faced with skepticism in their abilities or must prove themselves significantly more than their male counterparts. Some of the common misconceptions that women face is that they aren’t strong enough, they’re less skilled, they’re better suited for administrative and support roles, and that they are unable to lead effectively in a traditionally male-dominated field. Women may also encounter behavior from subtle microaggressions to overt harassment and without accountability measures, this often creates a hostile work environment.
How Women Are Shaping the Future of Construction
Despite the challenges women face, The National Association of Women in Construction continues to report a steady increase in women taking on supervisory and managerial roles. Studies and industry surveys also consistently show that women perform technical tasks and operate machinery just as effectively as their male counterparts. Research from firms like McKinsey indicate that companies with diverse leadership teams that include women are more innovative and profitable—sometimes showing a 21% higher likelihood of above-average performance compared to less diverse teams.
Looking Ahead
More women enter the construction industry every year who advocate for change and rise to leadership positions, so companies are finally beginning to recognize the need to create a more inclusive and supportive environment.
As a woman co-owned small business, Parrish Construction is committed to diversity and representation in the industry, while fostering an inclusive workplace where everyone can thrive. As we continue to grow, we are dedicated to empowering women in construction and promoting continued change in the industry. One thing we know for certain is that gender doesn’t determine success—skills, passion, and dedication do.
References
- Martincevic, Irena. “Fixr.com | Women in Construction Week 2024: Management Role Increases and Other Key Statistics.” Www.fixr.com, 25 Feb. 2025. ↩
- Jones, Jonathan. “Cities with the Most Women in Construction [2024 Edition] – Construction Coverage.” Construction Coverage, 2 Feb. 2024. ↩
- “Women in Construction Reached Record High in 2023.” Nahb.org, 10 Sept. 2024. ↩
- Martincevic, Irena. “Fixr.com | Women in Construction Week 2024: Management Role Increases and Other Key Statistics.” Www.fixr.com, 25 Feb. 2025. ↩
- Picatoste, X., Mesquita, A. & González-Laxe, F. “Gender wage gap, quality of earnings and gender digital divide in the European context.” Empirica 50, 301–321 (2023). ↩
