By DCW ConnectAuthored by Dr Sara Mehrabi, Vice President of Data & Analytics, COWI
For years, construction has been perceived as a male-dominated industry; physically demanding, technologically resistant, and very slow to change. But today, the landscape is transforming at an exceptional pace. New technologies, ESG initiatives, and shifting generational attitudes are reshaping not just ‘how’ we build but ‘who’ builds.
As we reflect on International Women’s Day earlier this month, we celebrate women’s growing presence in construction, not merely as workers but as leaders, innovators, and change-makers. As London Business School economist Andrew J. Scott observes, “As machines get better at being machines, humans have to get better at being more human.” In construction today, women are excelling not just in these uniquely human domains, but also in the industry’s fundamental shift from muscle to mind, where strategic thinking, technical and digital expertise, and innovative problem-solving now drive success.
When technology changes the game
Digital construction tools and approaches like BIM, automation, AI, and robotics have significantly reduced the physical barriers that once made construction challenging for women. Where brute force once ruled, intelligence, problem-solving, and digital proficiency now take centre stage.
Many women are driving technological adoption, bringing fresh perspectives to digital transformation and championing innovation. Remote project management and production/delivery coordination, data-driven predictive analytics, and integrated sustainable solutions have elevated the value of collaboration, strategic thinking, and adaptability, qualities women bring in abundance.
These tech-driven roles are attracting a new generation of female talent, from digital engineers to sustainability consultants, who see construction not as an inflexible sector but finally as a dynamic space full of opportunity.
The ESG revolution; it’s not about checking boxes
Construction has for centuries shaped the physical world, but today it’s also expected to build a better social and environmental future. ESG frameworks are transforming workplace culture, encouraging diversity, inclusion, and ethical practices. These frameworks have also brought much-needed focus to the broader environmental and societal impacts of the built environment, pushing the industry beyond traditional concerns toward a more holistic view of construction’s role in shaping sustainable communities.
Progressive companies recognise that diverse perspectives lead to better decision-making, stronger teams, and ultimately, more successful projects. Social sustainability initiatives, flexible working policies, and mentorship programs are creating an environment where women are not just included but actually valued.
Legislation also plays a crucial role in ensuring fairness through gender pay gap reporting and anti-discrimination policies. This shift represents more than compliance; it recognises diversity as a competitive advantage.
A noteworthy concern on my mind is the recent and sudden policy changes in the US and to a smaller extent, the ongoing debates around relaxing CSRD reporting requirements in Europe. As Natalie G. Shaverdian Riise-Knudsen, CFO of COWI Group, recently articulated in Børsen, these challenges, however cumbersome, are worth embracing for a more sustainable future.
New generations, new rules
One of construction’s most promising developments is the evolving mindset across generations. Young professionals entering the field are challenging outdated stereotypes every day and reimagining workplace equality. And to me, as I can imagine to many of my Gen X peers, it is refreshing to witness this shift. I often reflect on the conditions I (and we as a collective) simply accepted as “just the way it is” and wonder if we should have pushed back more forcefully against those norms. That said, comparing today’s environment with the cultural and economic landscape of two decades ago isn’t entirely fair! Though I wouldn’t use that as an excuse for past complacency. The main point is that the context has shifted dramatically, empowering a new generation to demand changes that once seemed impossible.
For today’s workforce, collaboration, work-life balance, and purpose-driven careers take priority. The traditional “tough it out” culture is slowly giving way to mentorship, leadership development, and well-being. Women benefit from this shift as opportunities for growth are increasingly determined by skill and contribution rather than outdated masculine norms established and perpetuated in traditionally male-dominated industries, such as our very own.
Simultaneously, more and more experienced women serve as mentors and role models, demonstrating that a construction career can be rewarding. The power of representation is often understated; when women see other women like them succeeding, they more readily envision themselves in the industry. With female leaders applying different team-building criteria than their male counterparts, more authentic voices find their way to the table. And no one is happier than me to see the era of coaching women to mimic male behaviour for professional advancement fading out of fashion and hopefully, out of existence.
The human touch in a world of machines
Nowadays, there is scarcely a day that goes by without hearing something about AI! As construction robotics, mixed reality visualisation, and AI advance into precision-driven building, the value add increasingly relies on uniquely human qualities such as emotional intelligence, creativity, ethical decision-making, and leadership; areas where women typically excel.
The industry’s future must go beyond structures to creating communities, addressing sustainability challenges, and driving meaningful change. Women who bring holistic problem-solving approaches, collaboration skills, and adeptness at navigating social and environmental responsibilities are the answer to these novel demands in the industry.
From surviving to thriving
I feel lucky to see how the narrative has evolved from women overcoming obstacles, to women seizing opportunities. With technology levelling the playing field, ESG frameworks fostering inclusivity, and cultural shifts redefining workplaces, the industry welcomes diverse talent more than ever.
From personal experience, today’s construction workplaces bear little resemblance to those of 22 years ago when I entered as a graduate engineer. Of my female classmates from 2002, only two remain in the industry; most either never entered or left after brief exposure. Those of us who stayed somewhat conformed to outdated expectations. We persevered and survived. While there’s a sense of achievement in this resilience, I’d be the first one to admit that specific characteristics remain underrepresented in senior roles that require time and experience to attain. My generation of female leaders likely lacks the cognitive and behavioural diversity you’d expect in a randomly selected group of women; a legacy future generations will hopefully transcend over time.
Though significant challenges still remain, construction has become a space where women can lead, innovate, and thrive. The industry needs leaders who are technically proficient yet also empathetic, strategic, and forward-thinking. As we move toward a human-centered approach, women aren’t merely fitting into construction industry; they’re truly redefining it.
To the women considering construction careers: your skills, perspectives, and leadership are needed now more than ever. The future of construction isn’t just about building structures, it’s about building better teams, cultures, and ultimately, a better world.
To me, that’s something worth celebrating.
About the author
My personal and professional lives have been formed by a variety of experiences, some tinted with adversity, prejudice, or neglect, and others by the fascinating pull of science, technology, culture, integrity, and compassion. I’ve lived and worked in various countries with very different cultural makeup, and I value nothing more than using any and all resources at my disposal to create an egalitarian environment where everybody can thrive based on their unique traits. In my professional life, this desire has motivated me to combine my knowledge and experience in engineering, innovation, digital technology, business administration, and behavioural psychology to achieve that very aim.