She Builds Advisory Body: A New Era for Women in the Construction Industry

In a move to bridge the gender gap in the construction industry, the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Public Works has launched the She Builds Advisory Body, a pioneering platform designed to uplift and empower women in the construction sector.

The all female advisory team comprising qualified construction professionals, aims to address the long standing issues of underrepresentation and discrimination that women face in the male dominated field.

The launch of the organisation was held at the Master Builders KwaZulu-Natal in Westville on Tuesday.

Phumzile Lembede, CEO of Emvelo Quality and Environmental Consultant and a member of the  advisory body, acknowledged the challenges women face, particularly in securing funding and job opportunities.

“It’s a struggle for women to get resources,” Lembede said.

“You must balance paying staff while waiting for delayed payments. It’s a daunting task.”

Daphney Mncube, Director of Youth, Women, and People Living with Disabilities, echoed Lembede's sentiments, and said the body was formed following feedback from women attending a workshop held in 2023.

The women were able to locate the barriers that hindered their participation in construction and property management.

“This launch is a key milestone,” Mncube said, in highlighting government's commitment to integrating women’s input and expertise into policy making and the decision-making processes.

The advisory body will serve as a strategic consultant to the MEC, ensuring that women's issues are at the forefront of discussions regarding equitable participation in the construction industry.

“We aim to move from dialogue to meaningful action through transparency, collaboration, and accountability,” Mncube said.

Vikashnee Harbhajan, Executive Director of Master Builders in KwaZulu-Natal, reinforced that transformation in the construction sector must be tangible and sustainable.

"Many women contractors are painfully aware that they face the brunt of economic pressures," she said.

The complexities of procurement systems and stringent legislative requirements only add to the challenge barriers that the advisory body aims to dismantle.

Public Works MEC Martin Meyer said at the launch event that the government was committed to empowering women. "We must move beyond intention to action.

"This means improved access to finance, prompt payments, and fair participation in procurement processes," he affirmed.

Meyer also emphasised the need for mentorship, targeted skills development, and the creation of safe, respectful, and inclusive workspaces for women at every level within the industry.

"When I assumed office, our objective was clear: Public Works Infrastructure in KZN should serve every community, embodying a sense of pride and belonging for all citizens," Meyer said.

He accepted that the province could not reach this goal without actively including women in the construction equation.

DAILY NEWS