MANIFESTO
Equity
Women in Architecture aim to achieve equity. We want to tackle the deep-rooted, well documented gender disparities within the profession and education. We recognise that for some, gender inequality is compounded by further discrimination, intersecting with class, disability, sexuality, race and other barriers which exclude and impede. We aim to be inclusive in our advocacy.
Voices
Architects are the custodians of the built environment, and multiple voices, including those of women, need to tackle these issues. We want to ensure that women continue to be at the table in conversations that shape our cities.
History
We intend to disrupt the familiar narrative of architectural history, from which women have been largely erased, by advocating for, supporting, inspiring and championing women in architecture. We must hold the profession to account and challenge the structural, institutional and cultural biases facing women within the profession and education. Ultimately, we want to stop the talent drain of women from architecture and ensure women’s voices are heard. We believe this will positively impact the built environment and secure a legacy of inspiration for future generations.
Barriers
Our fight is for equity because we recognise that not all barriers are equal. The last few years have also highlighted issues around women’s safety, spatial inequity, and environmental issues. It is about ensuring each woman has the tools to deal with the challenges and injustices they face. We aim to tackle inequity to achieve equality.
Why?
Women in architecture face disproportionate discrimination, sexism, harassment, bullying, unequal pay and a lack of career progression. Women have been consistently omitted from, obscured or replaced in the dominant narrative of architectural history. Many women lose faith in the profession in a culture that precludes their advancement, as evidenced by the numbers leaving.These issues persist in the profession today where women still earn less, occupy few top roles and often leave before fulfilling their potential. As a result, contemporary practice has been deprived of women’s voices, inspiration and role models, creating a legacy of unconscious bias. This affects women’s careers and the fabric of our cities.
How?
We will build a community to provide an accessible network of peers, and a forum for discussion, for women of all backgrounds, ages and career stages. Out of which we can advocate for and provide concrete proposals for policy changes to aid women’s development in the profession and education, and help make our cities better places for women. We also want men to be part of the conversation and will work with other marginalised groups to make our profession more inclusive.
We will provide a platform to showcase the design, thoughts and ideas of architects via our website and in an annual publication. We will foster collaboration with other architectural and sector-oriented groups to increase participation and bring diverse voices to the table.
In 2024, we will focus on:
Providing networks
Shifting work culture
Providing mentoring opportunities through the WIA mentoring programme
We intend this to be an evolving manifesto, which responds to the issues of the day.
