Every year on March 8 the world recognizes International Women’s Day (IWD), a global day that celebrates the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. The day also marks a call to enhance equality for women in the workplace ensuring equal pay and access to opportunities across all industries.

Despite Geotechnical Engineering’s critical importance in the construction industry, women remain criminally underrepresented in our field. According to the American Society of Civil Engineers, only 16% of civil engineers in the United States are women, and the percentage is even lower for geotechnical engineers. This year’s IWD theme is #EmbraceEquity, which challenges employers from all industries to manage resources equitably (and not just equally) based on each person’s circumstances. 

Treating women equitably in geotechnical engineering is critical for creating a diverse and inclusive workplace that values the contributions of all employees. We’ve put together some strategies for treating women equitably in the field of geotechnical engineering:

• – First, it is important to ensure that women are given equal opportunities for education and training in geotechnical engineering. This can involve providing scholarships, mentorship opportunities, and creating inclusive learning environments that support the success of all students, regardless of gender.
• – Second, it is important to address any gender-based discrimination and harassment in the workplace. This can be achieved by establishing policies and procedures that prohibit discrimination and harassment, providing training to all employees on these policies, and ensuring that all complaints are taken seriously and addressed promptly.
• – Third, it is important to create an inclusive workplace culture that values the contributions of all employees. This can involve promoting diversity and inclusion initiatives, such as unconscious bias training, diversity and inclusion committees, and celebrating the accomplishments of women in the field.
• – Fourth, it is important to ensure that women have equal opportunities for career advancement and leadership roles in geotechnical engineering. This can involve providing mentoring and sponsorship opportunities, ensuring that job postings are inclusive and non-discriminatory, and creating leadership development programs that support the success of women in the field.
• – Fifth, it is important to ensure that women are paid equitably for their work in geotechnical engineering. This can be achieved by conducting regular salary reviews to ensure that women are being paid fairly for their work, and by addressing any pay disparities that are found.

To summarize, treating women equitably in geotechnical engineering is critical for creating a diverse and inclusive workplace that values the contributions of all employees. By addressing gender-based discrimination and harassment, creating an inclusive workplace culture, providing equal opportunities for education and training, ensuring equal opportunities for career advancement and leadership roles, and ensuring equitable pay, we can create a more equitable and just workplace for all. 

Find out more about how you can #EmbraceEquity in the workplace at IWD.com 

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