The Pressures of Being the Only Woman in a Male-Dominated Industry

Time to read: 1-2 minutes.

Keywords: women, male-dominated industries, pressure, representation, discrimination, harassment, diversity, inclusion, mentorship, workplace, leadership coaching, gender-diverse, workplace changes, inclusivity.

Summary: Women shouldn’t be forced to be the torchbearers of their gender in male-dominated industries. Despite the lack of representation, women should be able to enjoy their work without feeling like they need to represent all women. This blog discusses the pressure women face in male-dominated industries, why it’s not always appealing to join them, and how we can implement changes to create a more inclusive workplace.

Author: Mylan Holland

The Struggle of Being the Only Woman

Imagine that you've just landed your dream job in a male-dominated industry. You're excited to start, but as you walk into your first meeting, you realise that you're the only woman in the room. Your male colleagues stare at you, and you can't help but feel like you don't belong. As the meeting progresses, you notice that your ideas are being dismissed, and your male colleagues are taking credit for your work. You start to doubt yourself and wonder if you made a mistake by pursuing this career. This scenario is not uncommon for women in male-dominated industries, and it highlights the importance of creating a more inclusive workplace.

Male-Dominated Industries Women Work In

Industries that are traditionally male dominated include:

·      Construction,

·      Politics,

·      Finance,

·      Sports

·      STEM (Science, technology, engineering, mathematics).

Women in these industries are frequently among the few female employees. This lack of representation can make it difficult for women to feel as though they belong, and it can add to the pressure they feel to represent all women. Despite efforts to increase diversity and inclusion in these industries, women continue to face significant entry and advancement barriers. It is critical to keep pushing for more inclusive workplaces and breaking down gender stereotypes.

Lack of Representation

·      According to a study by McKinsey & Company, women only make up 38% of entry-level positions in tech companies. This lack of representation is not only discouraging for women who want to enter these industries, but it can also contribute to the pressure women feel to represent all women.

·      According to the National Science Foundation, women made up only 28% of the science and engineering workforce in 2018.

·      In the construction industry, women make up just 10.3% of the workforce. (Source: National Association of Women in Construction)

The Pressure of Setting an Example

While some women like the idea of setting an example for other women, others just want to do their job and enjoy their work without feeling like they need to represent all women. The pressure of being the only woman in a male-dominated industry can be overwhelming and can cause women to feel like they don’t belong.

Implementing Changes

To create a more inclusive workplace, companies need to implement changes such as diversity and inclusion training, mentorship or coaching programs, and flexible work arrangements. These changes can help women feel more supported and valued in their workplace and can create a more welcoming environment for women to enter these industries.

According to a study by Deloitte, gender-diverse companies are 15% more likely to outperform their peers. This highlights the importance of creating a more inclusive workplace for everyone.

In conclusion, it is crucial to recognise the gender disparities that exist in male-dominated industries and work towards creating more inclusive and diverse workplaces. Regardless of the industry, we can all strive to do better for the women in our lives today and build a solid foundation for future generations of girls to come, so they don't have to experience the inequality that women face today. With sustained efforts towards breaking down gender stereotypes and promoting inclusivity, we can create a more equitable and fair society for all.

EQuest Asia provides expert training, particularly in women’s leadership coaching, Diversity, inclusion and belonging workshops to help companies create a more inclusive workplace. Email us to find out more here: [email protected]

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