Sexism in architecture still driving women out, report finds

Two decades after a seminal report into 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 (Riba).

- Alexandra Topping

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 Riba’s Build It Together report, produced with the equality charity the Fawcett Society.

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.

Citing Riba’s 2003 report Why do women leave architecture? - which found that low and unequal pay, long working hours, sidelining of opportunities, sexism, and a “macho” culture were leading to a female exodus - she said some people within the profession would find it “unsurprising that this is still happening”.