Recently,
mainstream media has highlighted the abuse our outgoing Prime Minister has had
to put up with during her time in office. This started in smaller, more subtle
ways when she stepped into her position and gradually just got louder as time
went on.
When
people didn’t like her decisions or views, they attacked her personally, making
rude memes, jokes and remarks about her gender, intelligence, and appearance,
all at her expense on social media platforms and in conversation.
Other
women in high profile positions have come forward to speak about their own
experiences as this conversation has opened up.
This
behavior has shed more light on a very real, yet very ugly side of our own
construction industry.
We
acknowledge those already working hard and making a huge difference across the
sector and that improvements and steps forward have been made, however we still
have a way to go to make construction a safe, inclusive, and inviting sector to
work in across the board for anyone, regardless of gender, or background.
It's
not news that in some construction environments women have been subjected to
this type of gender discrimination, and abuse for years and not just in the
higher profile jobs. From the newest apprentice in their first week on the job,
through to the seasoned construction worker, women have battled with, put up with,
and fought against all kinds of abuse,
ridicule, and assault.
Whilst it is not happening in all
organisations, it is still happening in far too many.
The
sexist comments, ‘jokes’, unwelcome touching, threats and assaults are still
happening and it's simply not ok. In fact when we hear of what is still going
on out there, and at times witness ourselves, it is pretty disgusting.
Some
of the recent examples we have heard of:
● An electrician
being told to go home and kill herself to free up a job for a man
● Being told
women don't belong in construction - why are you taking jobs from men
● Men
"brushing" past women and pelvis thrusting, laughing as they do so
● Women being
told to cover up when wearing singlets (the same as their male counterparts) as
they don't want to see their naked arms
● Being called
bitches, and worse
The
list goes on…
There
are many more women, who don’t speak up, or give up on the job or the industry and decide that construction is
not for them. In some more extreme cases, women are traumatised, needing
counseling, and support, often carrying
the scars well into their lives.
Everyone
has a right to feel safe, welcome, and valued in construction, when given the
right environment women can bring huge
value to teams and organisations.
What can we do?
We
all have a part to play in changing the industry.
We can’t change someone
else's behavior but we can change how we participate, and respond to it, and
what actions we take as individuals.
- If you see or hear this type of behavior, be bold enough
to call it out. Bystanders are just as responsible if they remain silent, if it
is not ‘safe’ to call it out at the time, then report it or find a safe way to
shed light on the situation.
- Be an example yourself, don’t participate or share
‘jokes’, laugh at them, or encourage them.
- Culture change is everyone's responsibility, yes it has to
come from the ‘top’ as well but you literally can change your immediate culture
at a team/site/office level by just behaving differently yourself.
- Show your support to those in your workplace who are
experiencing discrimination or abuse by listening, and encouraging them to
speak out about what is happening to them.
NAWIC highly recommends finding tools like
this one below from Waihanga Ara Rau, who teamed up with Hanga-Aro-Rau to
support women in the trades so that they can thrive in fulfilling and sustainable
careers.
The ‘Keep It Decent Guidelines for Safe and
Respectful Workplaces' are our first step towards creating real change. These
tools provide practical steps for Employers to take to ensure women are safe in
the workplace from sexual harassment and bullying. Download the Guidelines by using the link below.
https://www.tradecareers.co/guidelines
Let's work together today to build safer and
more respectful workplaces for everyone who chooses to work there.
Kia kaha
NAWIC Leadership
PS:
If you are experiencing behavior of this kind and feel you don't know what to do about it, or who to talk to, please feel free to reach out to us, we can confidentially point you in the right direction.
https://www.nawic.org.nz/contact
