With a name meaning ‘Light of the World’, Nur Jahan was destined to make her mark on earth. Of Persian descent, hailing from humble beginnings and as the wife of Mughal emperor Jahangir, she became a formidable woman in her own right. She was a powerful and wealthy female, queen of the Mughal empire who, amongst other things, became an architectural patron. It is documented that Nur Jahan designed and constructed the Charbagh or ‘Four Gardens’ in Lahore, Pakistan; referred to as the ‘Garden of Eden’ it was built as a walled garden with a mausoleum at the centre of the garden for her husband, the late emperor Jahangir. 

Throughout history, there have been various examples of Muslim women who supported and initiated the construction of remarkable buildings and external landscapes. Buildings such as mosques, hospitals and universities changed the image of Muslim cities providing Islamic architecture and an urban landscape that would benefit the forthcoming generations.

Through their contribution to the design and construction of religious and civic buildings, these women became a source of inspiration.  There have been numerous stories of inspiration from as early as the 9th century when Fatima Al-Fihri who established the world’s oldest university, the University of Al-Qarawiyin in Fez, Morocco, changed the very landscape of higher education. During the Ottoman Empire, Hurrem Sultan was a famous empress who commissioned schools and a women’s hospital. In the 12th century, Melike Mama Hatun was a female ruler of the Saltukid dynasty and commissioned various buildings and infrastructure such as a mosque, a bridge and a hammam. 

Every one of these buildings ultimately served as an act of service to the ones who would utilise and benefit from them. These Muslim women were likely inspired by the Prophetic model which is based on the teachings of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ and draws upon living in a culture that cares for others. It encourages living in a society which is not self-serving but rather one that brings people together and endorses empathy, generosity and compassion for other human beings.

If perceived differently, constructing a building can be viewed as an act of service to others because when a hospital has been carefully designed, constructed and built, millions of patients will receive treatment for their illnesses throughout its lifespan.

The benefits received by the end users are invaluable because a facility which saves human lives is priceless. The Heydar Aliyev Centre, Azerbaijan designed by Zaha Hadid, the Queen Alia International Airport, Jordan by architect Meisa Batayneh Maani and the Birzeit Historic Centre, Ramallah by Palestinian architect Saud Amiry are examples of iconic buildings that are notable in the current day.  

Throughout history, Muslim women have been dedicated to the design and construction of buildings. One could assume, therefore, that their involvement in this field would have grown over time, leading to greater representation in present-day society.  However, this does not appear to be the case.  The current construction industry in the UK lacks women from different backgrounds and ethnicities and over the years women have faced various challenges preventing them from entering or progressing in the construction workforce.  In this article, I discuss the current state of the industry and assess whether it is diversifying by encouraging minority ethnic women to enter the industry and become more inclusive.  As well as providing insight, I spoke to two Muslim women who shared their personal experience of working within the industry.

Current Obstacles and Barriers

When an industry that dates back to 4000 B.C. lacks adequate representation of women in general and from various ethnic and religious backgrounds, one has to wonder what the root cause of this could be. Construction has traditionally been viewed as being ‘male-dominated’ due to the large presence of men when compared to the number of women in the industry.  Over the years, various barriers have prevented women from entering or progressing in construction.  Barriers include lack of representation, gender bias, gender pay gap and a lack of flexible working hours.  According to data collected in 2023, women make up 15% of the construction workforce of which 89.3% are white and 10.7% represent those from minority ethnic backgrounds.  Whilst there has been a steady increase of women in professional roles within architecture and engineering, there has been a decrease of women overall in trade and operative roles over 10 years from 3.2% in 2013 to 1.4% in 2023. The percentage of minority ethnic women in these types of roles is likely to be even less than these figures.  There are various reasons that these statistics exist.

One such reason is the lack of women’s representation. If construction is presented to the public in a manner that excludes women in advertising campaigns, material and information then it makes the industry less appealing to them. Therefore, if they are not visibly present, there may be reluctance and discouragement to pursue this path. The lack of visibility of female and ethnic female role models can affirm this.  Furthermore, it is not commonplace to see women in construction roles in religious dress or observing the hijab.

Some commentators have suggested it is decades of stereotypical sexism that have played a role in this, and others would suggest that some women find this industry unappealing due to the nature of the work which, in some cases, can be manual labour. There has also been a perception within homes, schools and the media that these roles are more suited to men and women should focus on more ‘traditional’ gender roles. Interestingly, it’s only since 1975 that the Sex Discrimination Act (now the Equality Act) has permitted women to work freely within construction therefore, any changes in sexist beliefs have only occurred in the last fifty years or so.

Another significant reason is the wide gender pay gap with women earning up to a third less than their male counterparts in some cases. Industry statistics have reported that on average women occupy 9.2% of jobs in the highest-paid bracket, while 28.7% are in the lowest-paid bracket. In some sectors, the construction industry does not provide adequate parental leave, which makes it harder for women to progress in their careers once they have children. The lack of flexible working opportunities means that fewer women feel included and their needs are not represented fairly. There are fewer opportunities for women to progress with more women in low-skilled, low-paid roles. Despite the high earning potential of this industry, women see this difference as one of the biggest challenges.

Other reasons include the lack of inclusivity by way of inequalities in health and safety workwear (Personal Protective Equipment or PPE). In the past, this has been catered to men rather than taking into account differences within gender, race and religion. Ill-fitting clothing can become a health hazard. Muslim women in particular may feel their dress code could hinder any opportunities if these factors are not taken into account.

Creating a Welcoming Work Environment 

Although the increase in women from different ethnic backgrounds entering the construction industry is slow, the changes taking place are becoming more evident. Compared to 20 or 30 years ago, more women are working in engineering and other construction roles and engaging with their employers to meet their cultural and spiritual needs.

Leena Begum, a Health and Safety Coordinator, felt that the ill-fitting and uncomfortable PPE worn on construction sites was one of the reasons dissuading Muslim women from entering the industry since they have largely been designed for males, and did not meet the modesty requirements. Leena decided to design hi-visibility PPE for Muslim females as she felt that the key to improving gender diversity was to make the clothing more appealing to women of all backgrounds. The clothing she designed provided comfort and modesty and did not compromise any spiritual values. After receiving financial backing and support from her company, Leena’s designs have been showcased at exhibitions across the globe and the Middle East.

Similarly, Aminah Shafiq who works as a senior engineer, devised the very first PPE headscarf which her employers supported. As a Muslim woman who wore a headscarf, she had health and safety concerns about wearing one on construction sites. She never allowed this to become a barrier and instead pitched an idea to her company, who helped her launch the PPE hijab which meant her work clothing could align with her values. Aminah wanted to create something that would accommodate women in her position and as a result, convince them to pursue operational roles. As well as attending TV and radio interviews, she garnered interest from the engineering industry with many companies looking to implement a similar idea. More importantly, she has encouraged Muslim women and girls who are considering engineering careers.

These are two examples of Muslim women who both developed and were encouraged by their companies to have site-specific workwear to fit their spiritual practices. It conveys the ongoing promotion of diversity and inclusivity in the construction industry to attract women of all backgrounds.

Inspiring Role Models

“As a Black African Muslim woman, she says it was a career path that was completely foreign to most in her community. ‘I went on to have some life-changing encounters with inspiring, amazing female engineers working within the industry.’’

There are minority ethnic and Muslim female role models in construction and one such example is Zeinab Mohamed. She had no intention of pursuing a career in engineering however, after attending a careers fair she came across inspiring female engineers that led her to change her mind and has never looked back. She met someone who shattered her preconceived notions of the construction industry. The engineers she met described themselves as engineers who happened to be female rather than female engineers and that frame of reference allowed her to pursue this path.

I interviewed Haneen Arshad and Najwa Jawahar who are also examples of inspiring role models to provide an insight into the industry and share their experiences.

Name: Haneen Arshad

Profession/Role in Construction Industry: Architectural Assistant currently at Property and Consultancy Services, Glasgow City Council

What made you want to pursue a career path in construction and how did you go about it?

I grew up loving art and creating things with my hands, but when it came down to deciding my future, I had to choose something that would allow me to have a stable career.  I took the interior design route for a year and loved the idea of drafting and designing large-scale projects, so after that, I decided to transition into architecture and on the side I drafted and drew specifically historical architecture. My admiration for historical architecture led me to my Master’s specialising in Conservation.

What does your typical workday look like?

I currently work primarily in Revit, generating drawings for several submissions for a historic building refurbishment in Glasgow. I also play a role in coordinating services as well as being on-site for further investigations.

Have you come across any barriers or felt excluded because you are from a minority ethnic background?

Growing up, I always saw men on construction sites or pictures of white male architects on site. As a Muslim Pakistani woman, when I first went on site, I did feel intimidated for being a minority, but to my surprise, I was treated no less or more. I was treated like any other individual, perhaps with a bit more care since I was a woman, but never did I feel like I was unwelcomed. Maybe this had something to do with how times have changed and with the diversity that has grown in the West.

What advice would you give to other minority ethnic and Muslim women who wish to enter your discipline but are reluctant to do so?

Don’t let the fact that you’re a Muslim woman from a minority background make you feel like you would get different treatment. Times have changed, diversity is welcomed and women are no longer perceived as less, I have felt that men respect women who can do something that only men were perceived to do. A workplace should have measures in place for any individual that doesn’t feel comfortable on-site, this is essential. If the workplace doesn’t provide security measures or ways to avoid uncomfortable situations then you need to speak to HR or find a company that provides this. Being a Muslim from a minority background is not really an issue, but being a woman is. However, it still doesn’t take away from my work. I’ve also learned to be confident in my skin and know that I have rights that I can use at any time I feel situations are unfair. Regardless, I enjoy what I do and the impact I’m able to make in this field. Just seeing the site work up close and personal is so special and a thrill, it’s something most women from my background don’t get to see. 

If you could pick any building in the world that you would like to have worked on, which would it be and why?

Notre-Dame in Paris. It was covered worldwide; the cathedral was completely wrecked from the fire and would need a complete reconstruction. The reconstruction would involve a ton of historical research into the building and the way it was built which would be so exciting to experience as someone who specialised in conservation. 

Name: Najwa Jawahar

Profession/Role in Construction Industry: Chartered Structural Engineer, currently Design Manager at WSP

What made you want to pursue a career path in construction, and how did you go about it?

I’ve always had a love for maths and physics; they just clicked for me. When it came time to think about careers during my A-levels, I worked with my physics teacher to explore different options. We used a process of elimination to narrow it down, and that’s when structural engineering stood out. It felt like the perfect blend of creativity and problem-solving. I had the chance to do a summer placement with Jacobs, where I worked on the roof structure for the Leeds Arena. Seeing something I helped design take shape in real life was incredible, and it confirmed that I’d chosen the right path.

What does your typical workday look like?

No two days are the same in my role, but they always start with a review of the project’s progress. My day involves meetings with architects, contractors, and clients to make sure everyone is on the same page. I’m responsible for ensuring that designs are coordinated, deadlines are met, and everything stays within budget.  Problem-solving is constant, and I really enjoy that part of the job. I also spend time mentoring younger engineers, which is something I’m passionate about. It’s a balancing act, but it’s incredibly rewarding.

Have you encountered any barriers or felt excluded because you are from a minority ethnic background?

Yes, construction is still very much a male-dominated field, and there aren’t many women from Asian backgrounds in the industry. It can be challenging, especially when there aren’t enough role models to show you how to navigate the hidden barriers. But I’ve always taken the approach of not letting these challenges affect me. I’ve learnt to stay focused on my goals and not give any power to those barriers. Over time, I’ve found that if you keep doing good work, people will recognise it, and the barriers start to fade. It’s about being resilient and pushing through.

What advice would you give to other minority ethnic and Muslim women who wish to enter your discipline but are reluctant to do so?

My advice is to be yourself and be confident. Your background makes you unique, and that’s something to be proud of. In fact, it can be your biggest asset. The industry is changing, and there’s more room for diverse perspectives than ever before. Don’t let fear or doubt hold you back. Surround yourself with a good support network, seek out mentors, and keep pushing forward. The challenges are there, but they’re not impossible to overcome. You’ll find your place, and your voice is needed.

If you could pick any building in the world that you would like to have worked on, which would it be and why?

I’ve always admired Zaha Hadid’s work. She was a trailblazer, and her projects have left a lasting legacy on cities around the world. If I could have worked on any building, it would be alongside her on one of her iconic projects. The Heydar Aliyev Centre and the London Aquatics Centre come to mind – as examples of how she redefined architecture. I deeply respect her ability to merge beauty and functionality, and I aspire to leave a similar mark on the built environment through my work.

Is it Possible to Diversify the Construction Industry? 

Over the years I have pondered over the various career paths minority ethnic and Muslim women take and noted the lack of interest in construction. Both Haneen and Najwa are rare examples who appear to have embraced their respective roles even though they face challenges being in a male-dominated field. Neither of them has allowed these barriers to become an obstacle to progressing further within a fulfilling role. Instead, they encourage being confident in your own skin. My own experience of working in construction has taught me similar experiences. I’ve always focused on the contributions I can make to the projects I work on, and have never felt excluded due to my gender, race or religion.  

Despite this, changes are taking place and the construction industry is taking steps towards creating a more equitable and diverse workforce. #PPEthatfits campaign is a campaign designed to take account of the inequalities that exist in PPE across construction. The PPE hijab and hi-visibility clothing for Muslims are examples of addressing these inequalities. The percentage of women in managerial, senior and professional roles the proportion of women from minority ethnic backgrounds has increased from 15.4% to 29.1% over a ten-year period in 2023. According to the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB), 250,000 additional workers are needed in the next four years to meet the UK construction demand in 2027. If this target is not met, there are fears that the construction skills gap may widen. An increase in female construction workers could be one of the ways of narrowing the skills gap. Women from all backgrounds would be a welcome solution and would improve the overall image of construction.

Amongst the minority ethnic and Muslim communities, the trend towards having careers as doctors, pharmacists, lawyers and those working in financial and IT industries continues. This could be because we can now see ourselves in these spaces and therefore, change is now inevitable in industries like construction where female employees from diverse backgrounds and faiths can be part of building a legacy for generations to come.