Women’s History Month and International Women’s Day (8 March) provide an opportunity to reflect on our advancements in tackling the structural barriers that uphold inequality and hinder women's achievements in the architecture profession. This year’s theme “For ALL women and girls: Rights. Equality. Empowerment,” calls for action that will address gender inequity and provide opportunities for a future where no one is left behind.
Women’s History Month – what you can do to mark this in your practice?
Remember, actions that support gender equity are not limited to the month of March. This can be a great time of year to start conversations, but our work is ongoing. Here are some ideas of you how can initiate change within your practice that can be applied and worked on beyond this month.
- Using this year’s theme decided annually by the United Nations, publicly acknowledge on your social media platforms how your practice is advocating for gender equity in the workplace. Be aware that other websites and organisations have co-opted International Women’s Day for commercial purposes – the United Nations website is the most reliable place for information and the setting of the annual theme.
- Create, review, and improve your existing policies. Look at how your policies address things like gender discrimination, menopause, family leave, etc. Ensure your policies and their language are inclusive of all women.
- Review your latest gender pay gap results or proposed actions and provide an update on progress.
- Review your EDI strategy for a long term commitment to women’s career development and advancement.
- Organise a virtual or in-person event. Create a space for employees to listen and share and consider inviting speakers who have intersectional experiences Inviting people with different lived experiences will widen understanding for attendees.
- Spotlight employee stories internally or externally (ensure those employees feel supported and safe when sharing their stories publicly). Podcasts, blogs, and videos are options.
- Run a coffee morning or a lunch and learn session to raise awareness on the issues faced by women in the workplace and promote allyship and signpost individuals to support that’s available.
- Commission gender equity training for your employees, including senior leaders and trustees.
It’s also important to recognise that too many women working in architectural practice experience discrimination and sexual misconduct – as found in a recent ARB survey. As well as an ethical duty there is now a legal duty for practices to prevent this from happening and now is the time for these discussions to take place in your practice to ensure changes are made.
Further workplace guidance has been made available from the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) or you can read our professional feature on the new sexual harassment laws which have been put into place.
RIBA Google Arts and Culture: Women in Architecture
British architecture has historically been a male-dominated profession, but women have played a major, though often overlooked, role in commissioning and designing buildings.
Explore our interactive Google Arts and Culture feature on women in the architecture profession.
Gender equity study with The Fawcett Society
In October 2024, we announced the commissioning of a study into gender equity in architecture by the Fawcett Society, to be published later this year. This study will conduct research into the experiences of women who are either practising architects or have left the profession, before setting out key actions for meaningful, lasting change.
It will also explore the intersections of gender with other protected characteristics. It will investigate the barriers and facilitators to progressing gender equity faced by employers, what architecture can learn from similar professions, and what needs to change.
Upcoming events
RIBA Europe: International Women’s Day Event - Evening panel on women in urban planning in Denmark
7 March, 5pm to 7pm (CET)
Join RIBA Europe in Copenhagen for an evening panel on women in urban planning in Denmark.
RIBA Toolkits for addressing gender inequity
Explore our latest toolkits with activities and resources to help address gender inequity in the workplace.
Microaggressions Toolkit
This toolkit provides resources to help practices address and understand microaggressions in the workplace. Explore the RIBA Microaggressions Toolkit.
Inclusive Events Toolkit
Check out our Inclusive Events Toolkit for resources and guidance on creating welcoming events for all. Explore the RIBA Inclusive Events Toolkit.
RIBA Books
The team at RIBA Books have a selection of both available and upcoming titles on the theme of Women's History Month:
Inclusion Emergency: Diversity in Architecture
This book encourages understanding and reflection by capturing insight from leading voices in the profession. It addresses critical questions, providing steps towards meaningful change, including chapters focused on gender equity and caregiving.
100 Women: Architects in Practice
Women within architecture have always been underrepresented. This highly illustrated book provides a flagship reference for women's contribution to architecture, offering inspiration to readers through 100 profiles.
Thrive: A field guide for women in architecture
A practical guide for students and architects which explores the history of women in architecture and examines how the profession can better serve women in future. The book covers women architects from all walks of life, all sizes of practice and from all over the world, including Jeanne Gang, Yasmeen Lari and Anupama Kundoo as well as many other historical and contemporary women architects and emerging practices.
Architect: The evolving story of a profession
The architect's role is constantly adapting. Throughout history, it has shifted significantly, shaped by social, cultural, technological and economic forces. The very definition of what an architect is and does has evolved over time from lead builder or master mason to principal designer. A collaborative and reactive profession, it is inextricably linked to the power of the patron, whether the client is an influential and affluent individual or a political, commercial, civic or religious organisation.
The issue of gender inequality in architecture has been part of the profession's discourse for many years, yet the continuing gender imbalance in architectural education and practice remains a difficult subject. This book seeks to change that. It provides the first ever attempt to move the debate about gender in architecture beyond the tradition of gender-segregated diagnostic or critical discourse on the debate towards something more propositional, actionable and transformative.
Other resources and articles
- RIBA Collections research guide: women in architecture
- RIBA Collections: A dwelling of her own - housing for single, working women in the 20th century
- How can FAME architects overcome barriers in the profession?
- Remembering Minnette de Silva: the architect in a sari
Find out more about RIBA's equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) work.
