‘Stark Displays of Sexism’ Driving Women out of Architecture, Report Finds
Originally published by Alexandra Topping the Guardian
Two decades after a seminal report on sexism in architecture, women are still abandoning the profession because of “toxic workplace cultures”, sexual harassment, long hours and unequal pay, according to a report from the Royal Institute of British Architects (the RIBA).
Female architects still faced intractable barriers, including “long hours being glorified, an imbalance of power between employers and employees, lack of clear policies and proactive action, and stark displays of sexism within practices”, according to the RIBA Build It Together report, produced with the equality charity the Fawcett Society.
The RIBA’s first female chief executive officer, Dr Valerie Vaughan-Dick, said these issues were particularly felt by women from minority ethnic backgrounds who also faced discrimination and misogyny. The report would be “uncomfortable reading for many”, she added.