Rigid gender norms drive harassment, discrimination and violence against women and contribute to women leaving the construction industry. They also hurt men. Effective and well-resourced culture change programs are critical to improve outcomes for all, says Jesuit Social Services.
In its response to the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations discussion paper, the organisation draws on its Man Box research and direct work with the construction industry
“Through our Men’s Project, we work with construction partners including ICON Construction, PICAC and Incolink,” says Jesuit Social Services CEO Julie Edwards.
“RMIT University research with women in trades has previously found constant challenges to their credibility, sexual harassment, and a “culture of silence”.
“Critical in this work is gender-transformative work with men, but this isn’t only about attitudes. A 7am start that makes school drop off impossible, insecure work, jobs found through mates and lowest-price tendering that pushes pressure down the contracting chain all shape who can stay in construction. Standards can change those settings across the whole industry.”
In its Man Box 2024 research, which surveyed more than 3,500 Australian men aged 18 to 45, Jesuit Social Services found that the men who most strongly agreed with rigid ideas about what it means to ‘be a man’, were 17 times more likely to hold violence-supportive attitudes, 11 times more likely to have frequently bullied others and five times more likely to have frequently sexually harassed a woman in a public place. Additionally, more than 60 per cent of the men who most strongly agreed with Man Box rules self-reported having used violence against an intimate partner.These men were also eight times more likely to have thoughts of suicide nearly every day, exhibit signs of problem gambling, and binge drink.
The culture an apprentice works in largely decides whether they finish. Victoria’s evaluation found some apprentices were moved between projects to meet hour targets, leaving them feeling “thought of as simply a number”. Jesuit Social Services wants apprentice requirements to measure the quality and continuity of training, not just the hours worked.
“The Commonwealth is one of this industry’s biggest clients. If it makes safe, respectful sites a condition of funding, and sets aside money for culture change that reaches subcontractors, every dollar it spends on construction can also be a dollar spent towards preventing violence against women.”
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