In our 6th feature of Women in Construction, Nasreen Al-Dossary discusses how women are transforming the construction industry.
Influenza
Women’s increasing participation in the construction industry is transforming the sector, and the shift has been a breath of fresh air. As Group Chief Human Resources Officer (GCHRO) at ROSHN, Nasreen Al-Dossary sees how empowering women to participate in their projects – onsite, in the office, or in the boardroom – has fostered innovation in their operations and reinforced their sustainable construction practices.
Women’s increased involvement at ROSHN is a tangible result of commitments to diversity and inclusion, but women also make them a more agile and adaptable company in a rapidly changing industry. They benefit from a variety of thought in decision-making and problem-solving that would otherwise be lacking, making them more resilient and more representative of the wider society’s values.
Gender Equality
Challenges always mark change, and pursuing gender equality is no exception. At ROSHN, they have embraced gender equality through targeted recruitment, development programmes – such as our HIMAM graduate initiative – and leadership opportunities.
ROSHN currently boasts a 31% female workforce, with 22% in managerial or executive roles. Their embrace of the RETURN programme also ensures that women can re-enter the workforce after a career break and puts them on track to exceed the Vision 2030 target of a 30% female workforce. These steps make the industry a more attractive place to work for innovators and align the company with the ambitions of our future employees in the younger generation.
Futuristic Scope
Historically, technological advancement catalyses a shift in the construction industry, and they are witnessing this in the increasing emphasis on sustainability. Additionally, they are building more innovative, greener, and more efficient today, with diverse teams of skilled men and women who bring their wealth of knowledge and perspectives to the table.
ROSHN’s approach to building resilient, sustainable destinations is powered by this collaborative, future-facing philosophy, which unlocks the best in every team member. Fostering this open environment, where diversity of thought is valued, best positions the construction industry for the complex challenges they must take on to foster healthy and prosperous societies.
Golden Words
Opportunities for women have never been more varied and impactful than in today’s construction industry. The sector now offers women opportunities to thrive in their specialisation alongside numerous paths to leadership. “We are all the richer for women’s participation societally, but also as an industry. Investing in developing skilled women pays dividends in our ability to tackle increasingly complex challenges.
With this in mind, we aim to increase the number of our female managerial roles by 5%. In addition to our talent development programs, The ROSHN Way is a dynamic corporate culture that prizes diversity and well-being, which is constantly improved by employee surveys and feedback. This inclusive approach ensures our industry maintains the innovative, collaborative ethos necessary to build resilient projects that address society’s current needs and future ambitions.”