Our co-founder, Lewis Yorke-Johnson, recently ignited a viral discussion on LinkedIn about the lack of diversity in Charity Golf Days. Despite good intentions, last year's event exposed a harsh reality: with only 1 female golfer out of 100 participants, it mirrored the construction sector's low female representation (just over 10%).
This seemingly innocent choice – a golf day – subconsciously reinforced the gender gap in the industry, where less than 30% of golfers are women. The result? Virtually zero gender diversity at our flagship charity event.
While our company boasts a growing female workforce (around 40%), the industry as a whole faces a persistent gender imbalance. Industry leaders' efforts haven't quite bridged the gap.
The Path Forward:
- Male Allyship: Men in construction must become vocal champions for gender diversity.
- Awareness is Key: Following Lewis Yorke-Johnson's lead, raising awareness about the lack of diversity is a critical first step.
- Action over Tradition: Rethinking traditional industry events to be more inclusive is essential.
Charity golf days raise money for fantastic causes, offering a wonderful opportunity for the construction sector to give back. But achieving greater gender diversity might be an even more significant legacy for the construction industry to leave behind.
This conversation is just beginning...
