Women urged to venture into construction industry

By Standard Reporter

A professional body says women within the construction industry deserve special recognition for their contribution.

The Quantity Surveyors Chapter of the Architectural Association of Kenya (AAK) says women have played a key role in determining the quality and direction of the otherwise male-dominated sector.

“Notwithstanding the alarmingly low numbers, the few women who venture into building construction related disciplines have excelled in leadership, professional services delivery consultancy, research and scholarly pursuits,” said Haron Nyakundi, the chairman Quantity Surveyors chapter of AAK.

Six per cent

Women account for only six per cent of the construction industry professionals in Kenya, according to the latest data from the Board of Registration of Architects and Quantity Surveyors.

Nyakundi says his chapter will host a dinner — dubbed the Pink Dinner — on November 30th to celebrate the contribution of women professionals in the construction industry.

“Through such initiatives, inviting and encouraging them to apply for positions whenever opportunities arise for nominations, appointments through the association and generally giving them a fair chance to excel,” said Nyakundi in a statement to newsrooms.

Records at the Board of Registration of Architects and Quantity Surveyors indicate that there are only 50 female architects in Kenya, compared to 952 male while the number of female quantity surveyors stands at a paltry 48 as opposed to the 680 males.

He says for the country to be truly compliant with the gender proportion in key positions, there is need to train more women in technical fields.

“We must also encourage them to come forward and take up positions which they are qualified and competent to occupy, but have hitherto shied away from or have been denied the opportunity,” adds Nyakundi.