Women represent only 31% of all registered architects in the UK and the RIBA has just announced its one year action plan to turn this situation around. Change is long overdue and vital to the future creativity of architecture that women who train as architects don’t leave the profession because of discrimination. Little has changed in the 37 years that I have been practicing.
Why do women leave architecture? The Fawcett Society reports gender inequality remains as many women report sexual harassment and bullying in addition to women being paid less than men for doing the same work in combination with the motherhood penalty. Student intake is 50/50 but many leave after the first three years (Part 1) because of the macho culture and long hours, often unpaid.
Fortunately, the Stirling Prize was won this year by a practice led by a woman, Helen Lee of Winneford Watson Mann Architects – Appleby Blue Almshouse, social housing in Southwark. By only employing women and only working for female clients I am trying to address the gender imbalance.