International Women’s Day is a global celebration of women’s achievements and a call for gender equality. In the overall construction industry, this day is particularly significant because the field has traditionally been dominated by men. However, over the past few years this is starting to change as women have stated to provide significant contributions in the sector.
Construction Business News ME spoke with Rekha Patel, Project Director at Turner & Townsend about her inspiring story in the construction sector.
I am a Civil Engineer by study, Contract and Commercial Management professional by trade and passionate about Infrastructure projects. Since childhood, I have aspired to follow in my father’s footsteps and work in the Construction industry. Working on Infrastructure projects gives me the feeling of making a small contribution to the improvement of communities.
I was a part of the team that launched the first high-speed railway in Saudi Arabia between the capital city of Riyadh and the country’s northern borders, and I saw the joy it brought to the passengers, especially the women travelling to university alone by train. I have more than 15 years of leadership experience in the industry, accrued over the course of a 27-year career. As a Civil Engineering graduate, I began my career in Asia, I then worked for 15 years in the United Kingdom, and then relocated to the Middle East. In addition to my primary academic degree, I am a Chartered Quantity Surveyor and Mediator with a Master’s in Construction Law.
In my current position, I am responsible for the Commercial management of a portfolio of multi-billion dirham Infrastructure projects in Abu Dhabi, including road networks, tunnels and bridges, and urban development with a mix of uses. The projects are essential to the Abu Dhabi government’s vision of transforming the Emirate, as outlined in the Urban Structure Framework plan. I am responsible for the bringing the distressed projects in line with Client’s expectation and mitigating the commercial risks.
Over the course of my career, I have been part of mega projects like the Construction of Riyadh Metro in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Cross Rail in the United Kingdom. My role was focused on contract management and commercial assurance on these complex projects involving multiple stakeholders and interfaces. Over the years I’ve been consistently amazed to witness the value that construction projects add to their surrounding communities and economies.
Challenges and opportunities for women in construction
With so much of the work in the construction industry still requiring physical exertion, the rate of change in attracting women to the construction industry is slower than in other industries. After all these years, the industry is still dominated by men. Being in the minority comes with challenges, be it the lack of female mentors or role models or the perception of women not being tough enough for the on-site roles.
Being a consultant also inadvertently puts one in a constantly changing environment or being responsible to bring change. In my career, I have worked on projects that completely lacked basic welfare and women-centric facilities on-site; they were not thought of as a requirement during project planning as women were not expected to work in
such remote environments. As women, we are also subject to the perception that we struggle to maintain a work-life balance and juggle professional and personal obligations.
The cultural sensitivities sometimes lead men to struggle with women making decisions or taking action. Having worked in the region for the past seven years, I have encountered situations in which people struggled to interact with me directly in meetings because they had not previously interacted with women in similar positions.
Over time, however, my constant courtesy and professionalism in the face of their reluctance made
them comfortable and receptive to my presence and work. They realised that, despite being a woman, I
was just another colleague working towards the same objective.
However, the profession allows women in construction to work across challenging, multi-faceted and impactful projects in different geographies working with people in international multi-cultural environments. It takes a little longer, but I have witnessed my fellow women in the industry proving their metal by resilience and perseverance. Also, companies have started to recognize that more diverse teams help the industry thrive. I also feel that sometimes by focussing on challenges we miss out on the opportunities the industry offers to women. In terms of technology and innovation, the construction industry is evolving, and women have the chance to gain the skills essential for a successful construction profession.
The importance of women joining the construction industry:
When I was in university, I was told that a Civil Engineer is a specialist whose work will endure for centuries. The construction industry affords us the opportunity to leave our mark on history and the social landscape. With increased awareness and efforts to include women in the construction industry, the time has come for both young and experienced women to enter the construction industry. I would encourage women to explore diverse roles within the industry, as construction encompasses so much more than simply building structures.
In the Middle East, nation building efforts are creating entire new cities and industries, which will shape the region’s economy for future generations. Now is the time for ambitious, enthusiastic women to enter the Construction industry, forge their own path, and become a part of history.