Supporting women in traditionally male-dominated industries
We’ve made significant progress towards gender equality in the workplace, but we’re not done yet. The gender gap is still alive and kicking, with over 60% of management positions held by men and only 81 female promotions for every 100 men. When it comes to climbing the career ladder, it’s clear that we women are at a disadvantage.
While changing those figures will take time, it doesn’t mean we have to sit around twiddling our thumbs. We can take action now by supporting women in male-dominated fields.
From understanding challenges to championing inclusivity, learn more about how you can make a difference in this guide.
Get to Know the Challenges
Stepping into male-dominated careers isn’t easy. By understanding the hurdles women face, we can better fight back against sexism in the workplace and provide much-needed support.
From construction to finance industries, the main challenges that need attention now include:
Assumptions that women are less capable in certain roles.
Slower career progression and lower pay than male colleagues.
A lack of female mentors.
Social exclusion.
Women need to perform better than men to earn the same recognition.
Understanding these challenges is the first step towards providing real support. By acknowledging barriers, workplaces and activists can begin to address them through fairer policies and cultures that celebrate diversity.
For women, awareness is also empowering. Use your knowledge to empathise with others and understand that no woman is alone, even in male-dominated industries. With shared experiences and allies, we can fight back against workplace discrimination together.
Sexual Harassment in the Workplace
Around 50% of women in the workplace are sexually harassed, with issues more likely to occur in male-dominated industries.
To support women, this problem mustn’t be swept under the carpet. Instead, workplaces should have formal procedures in the case of harassment, giving all women a voice.
If the employer doesn’t act on the complaint, it’s also vital that women know who to contact. The UK’s Equality and Human Rights Commission, for instance, is a fantastic organisation fighting back against sexual harassment.
Foster Inclusive Cultures
It’s no secret that women in male-dominated industries are more likely to face discrimination. To counteract this trend, we need to be championing inclusive cultures.
If you’re in a leadership position, ensure that your team is aware of the behaviour you expect and the repercussions of misogynistic comments and actions. Lead by example, too, and advocate for the women under your management.
You should also establish policies that make the workplace more supportive of women’s health. Advocate for better menopause policies, for instance, or allow time off for pregnancy termination. These go beyond career-oriented inclusivity to create an environment that actively looks after women.
If you work with women in a largely male workplace, call out discrimination. Even subtle jokes can undermine a woman’s position or credibility, and staying quiet can often be mistaken for acceptance of poor behaviour. Support female colleagues by listening to them, backing them up in meetings, and ensuring credit is given where it’s due.
Inclusive cultures aren’t just good for women, they’re good for everyone! Companies leading the way in diversity are more likely to outperform other businesses and earn higher profits, making this push towards inclusivity a no-brainer.
Become a Mentor
Being a woman in a male-dominated industry can be a lonely experience. If you’ve been there, you can help support others by becoming a mentor.
This is about more than just offering advice. Being a mentor provides women with connections, helps them understand how to face challenges, and lays the foundations for a stronger female-led community within male-dominated spaces.
There are plenty of different ways to become a mentor, too. You can start by checking in with junior colleagues at work, joining a professional women’s network, or volunteering with initiatives that support women entering your field.
Encourage Open Conversations
We can only overcome gender discrimination if we talk about it. It might sound simple, but discussions on the challenges women face in male-dominated industries can have wide-reaching impacts, including:
Ensuring that women don’t feel alone.
Highlighting the extent of gender discrimination.
Helping women feel empowered through shared experiences.
Educating men on the challenges women face.
Giving women a voice in a safe space.
Whether in the workplace or within your friend group, speaking openly provides much-needed support for women who might be struggling. Talking can help us lower stress, navigate difficult experiences, and process negative emotions, too, making it vital for well-being.
Build Inclusive Networks
For women in male-dominated industries, a strong network is crucial. It improves their visibility in the workplace, ensures they’re heard, and reduces risks of social isolation.
To support women, consider how you can help them build a diverse network. You might, for instance, connect them with people you know in the industry, including colleagues and industry leaders. Explore options for professional conferences and networking events, too, and ensure you invite female co-workers.
If you don’t work in the same industry, you can still support women’s networking by heading over to LinkedIn. This is the online version of a networking event, and it’s the go-to social media platform for professionals across industries.
Follow your connections in male-dominated industries and make an effort to engage with their content. The more reactions and comments their posts have, the more likely it is that LinkedIn will push them to a wider audience. Repost relevant content, too, to help them get noticed by people in your network.
Advocate for Equal Opportunities
Everyone can champion equal opportunities across industries. Advocacy doesn’t have to be loud or bold, either, with a huge number of ways to get involved. You could, for instance, start by signing petitions, joining protests, and speaking up in your own workplace.
There are great organisations already working hard to provide widespread support, too. The Young Women’s Trust and Beyond Equality, for instance, are two excellent charities tackling misogyny, including within male-dominated industries. By getting involved or donating, you help strengthen the movement for fairer workplaces.
Final Thoughts
We believe that gender equality across industries is possible. We’ve got plenty of examples of progress, too, including the news that, for the first time ever, NASA’s astronaut class has more women than men. Reach for the stars, ladies!
Whether you work in a male-dominated industry or know someone who does, we hope these tips have helped inspire your next steps of support. For more insights, check out our articles exploring Women in Business.
