Gender and the Housing Production Process: A Bibliographic Survey of Women’s Engagement and Challenges
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.25159/2520-9515/17355Keywords:
building, construction, challenges, developed and developing nations, participation, patriarchyAbstract
Housing remains a global challenge, with access and involvement in the housing production process shaped by gender, varying across national contexts. This article reviews women’s engagement, comparing women’s participation in housing production between developed and developing countries. It discusses the activities women engage in, their rate of participation, the challenges they face and ways to improve their engagement. Research indicates that women’s engagement in housing creation is low and varies between developed and developing countries. Women participate and are involved in decision-making; planning; supervision; physical construction and maintenance, in both the self-build and construction industry. However, patriarchy, along with societal and cultural beliefs, economic, legal and educational barriers limit their participation in house construction. Ensuring women’s access to land, promoting gender-sensitive education and training, improving legal literacy, implementing gender-friendly policies and establishing supportive frameworks are essential for creating an environment where women can thrive in housing production.
References
AbdurRaheem, A. and Luper, V.V. 2016. “An Assessment of Women Participation and Satisfaction in Housing Development Decisions in Kano Metropolis.” IOSR Journal of Humanities and Social Science 21(6): 57–63.
Adeyemi, A.Y., Ojo, S.O., Aina, O.O. and Olanipekun, E.A. 2006. “Empirical Evidence of Women Under-Representation in the Construction Industry in Nigeria.” Women in Management Review 21: 567–577. https://doi.org/10.1108/09649420610692516 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/09649420610692516
Adeoye, D.O. 2018. “Factors Influencing Gender Differentials in Involvement in Urban Informal Housing Development Process in South-Western Nigeria.” Ibadan Planning Journal 7(2): 30–41. http://journals.ui.edu.ng/index.php/ipj/issue/view/7
Adeoye, D.O. 2021. “Housing Development and Ownership by Women: A Review.” ACTA Technica Corviniensis – Bulletin of Engineering 14(2):129–134.
Agbola, S.B. 1990. “The Nature of Women’s Involvement in Housing Development: A Survey of Literature.” Special Issue on Women in Human Development and Management in Africa. African Urban Quarterly 5(3, 4): 178–184.
Ajayi, M.O. 2000. “Appraising Gender Participation in Housing Production and Management.” In Akinbamijo O.B., Fawehinmi A.S., Ogunsemi D.R. and Olotuah A. (eds.). Effective Housing in the 21st Century Nigeria, 215–219. Ibadan: AKT Ventures Ltd.
Akinola, O.A. 2018. “Women, Culture and Africa’s Land Reform Agenda.” Frontiers Psychology. 9. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2018.02234 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2018.02234
Asiyanbola, R.A. 2011. “Gender and Urban Housing Settings in Africa-Nigeria.” In Proceedings of International RC21 Conference, Amsterdam, July 7–9.
Asiyanbola, R.A. and Filani, M.O. 2008. “Gender and Involvement in Housing Development in Ibadan, Nigeria.” Gender and Behaviour 6(8): 1982–2007. https://doi.org/10.4314/gab.v6i2.23430 DOI: https://doi.org/10.4314/gab.v6i2.23430
Aulin, R. and Jingmond, M. (2011). “Issues confronting women participation in the construction industry.” In Advances in Engineering and Technology-Contribution of Scientific Research in Development (312–318). Makere University, Uganda.
Bainbridge, H.T., Palm, E. and Fong, M.M. 2021. “Unpaid Family Caregiving Responsibilities, Employee Job Tasks and Work‐Family Conflict: A cross‐Cultural Study.” Human Resource Management Journal 31(3): 658–674. https://doi.org/10.1111/1748-8583.12333 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/1748-8583.12333
Basolo, V. and Morlan, M. 1994“Women and the Production of Housing.” In Shelter, Women and Development: First and Third World Perspectives. An Arbor: George Wahr Publishing Company. 168–177.
Chant, S. 2016. “Gender, Entrepreneurship and the Housing Market: Legal Challenges and Opportunities. Gender and Development 24(3): 429–445.
Chikafalimani, S.H., Kibwami, N. and Moyo, S. 2021. “Addressing Women’s Construction Health and Safety Needs in Africa”. HTS Teologiese Studies/Theological Studies 77(2): a6849. DOI: https://doi.org/10.4102/hts.v77i2.6849
Chiwuzie, A. and Daniel, I.D. 2021. “Housing Construction Costs and House Rents Fluctuations in an Emerging Property Market: The Case of Osogbo, Nigeria.” Property Management 39(4): 527–545. https://doi.org/10.1108/PM-06-2020-0041 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/PM-06-2020-0041
Clarke, L., Pedersen, E.F. and Wall, C. 1999. “Balancing Acts in Construction: A Study of Two Women Painters in Denmark,” NORA 7(2–3): 138–150. https://doi.org/10.1080/08038749950167652 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/08038749950167652
Dahlvig, J.E. and Karen A.L. 2020. “Women’s Leadership in Higher Education: Addressing Glass Ceilings and Sticky Floors.” The Wiley Handbook of Gender Equity in Higher Education: 29–52. https://doi.org/10.1002/9781119257639.ch2 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/9781119257639.ch2
FAO. 2017. “The State of Food and Agriculture 2017: Migration, Agriculture and Rural Development.”
Global Gender Gap Report. 2021. “World Economic Forum.” https://www.weforum.org/reports/global-gender-gap-report-2021.
Grittner, A. L. 2019. “The Victoria Mxenge: Gendered Formalizing Housing and Community Design Strategies Out of Cape Town, South Africa.” J Housing Built Environ 34(2): 599–618. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10901-018-09640-0 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10901-018-09640-0
Hansen, S., Rostiyanti, S.F. and Nafthalie, A. 2020. “A Motivational Framework for Women to Work in the Construction Industry: An Indonesian Case Study,. International Journal of Construction Supply Chain Management 10(4): 251–266. https://doi.org/10.14424/ijcscm100420-251-266 DOI: https://doi.org/10.14424/ijcscm100420-251-266
Huq-Hussain S. 1996. “Female Migrants in an Urban Setting – The Dimension of Spatial/Physical Adaptation; The Case of Dhaka.” Habitat International 20(1): 93– 107. https://doi.org/10.1016/0197-3975(96)80775-2 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/0197-3975(96)80775-2
Hutton, L. 2021. “Barriers to Market Access for Women in the Housing Sector”. Journal of Housing and the Built Environment 36(2): 345–362.
International Labour Organization (ILO) 2001. “Tripartite Meeting on the Construction Industry in the Twenty-First Century: Its Image, Employment Prospects and Skill Requirements.” Geneva.
Jimoh, R.A., Oyewobi, L.O., Adamu, A.N. and Bajere, P.A. 2016. “Women Professionals’ Participation in the Nigerian Construction Industry: Finding Voice for the Voiceless.” Organization, Technology and Management in Construction. 8: 1429–1436. https://doi.org/10.1515/otmcj-2016-0005 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/otmcj-2016-0005
Johnson, W. 2022. “Model Programs Prepare Women for the Skilled Trades.” In Women, Work, and School, 140-152. London: Routledge.
Jwasshaka, S.K. and Amin, N.F. 2020. “Gender Discrimination in Building Construction Industry in Nigeria: Threat to Achieving Goal-5 of Vision 2030.” World Journal of Engineering and Technology 8(1): 33–41. https://doi.org/10.4236/wjet.2020.81004 DOI: https://doi.org/10.4236/wjet.2020.81004
Kabeta, S. 2015. “The Role of Maasai Women in Housing Construction.” Journal of Anthropology, 1–8.
Kakar, A.S. and Hasan, A. 2023. “Exploring the Combined Effects of Socio-Political Conflicts and Patriarchic Society on a Construction Career Path: Evidence from Afghan Female Professionals,” International Journal of Construction Education and Research, 1–21. https://doi.org/10.1080/15578771.2023.2186981 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/15578771.2023.2186981
Kalabamu, F.T. 2005. Changing Roles of Women in Housing Processes and Construction: The Case of Lobatse Township, Botswana.” PhD Thesis: University of KwaZulu-Natal.
Labeodan, O.A. (1992). “Women in the Informal House-building Industry in Nigeria.” Habitat International 16(1): 17–24. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/0197-3975(92)90004-I
Lawanson, T.O. 2007. “Gender Differentials in Nigeria: Implications for Sustainable Urban Development. Journal of Environmental Sciences 2(1): 36–70.
Lombardi, M R. 2017. “Women Engineers in Construction Industry: The Feminization Possible and Gender Discrimination.” Cadernos De Pesquisa 47: 122–146. https://doi.org/10.1590/198053143619 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1590/198053143619
Michielsens, E., Pedersen, E.F. and Susman, B. 2004. “The European Social Partners for Construction: Force for Exclusion or Inclusion?” In Women in Construction, edited by Clarke, L., Pedersen, E.F., Michielsens, E., Susman, B. and Wall, C. CLR Studies, European Institute for Construction Labour Research, Bruxelles, 80–102.
Muhammad, U.B., Aliyu, A.A. and Muktar, U.A. 2015. “Women Participation in Housing Delivery: Bauchi Metropolis in Perspective.” Proceedings of the International Academic Conference for sub-Sahara African Transformation and Development 3(5): 1–13.
Mujahid-Mukhtar, E. and Noor-ul-Hassan 1992. “Female Participation in Housing Activities: Some Assessment of the Socio-Economic and Cultural Impact.” Pakistan Development Review 31(4): 637–649. https://doi.org/10.30541/v31i4IIpp.637-652 DOI: https://doi.org/10.30541/v31i4IIpp.637-652
Mukendi, A. 2009. “Women’s Participation in Housing Construction in Zambia.” Journal of Gender and Development 17(2): 157–166.
Nalitolela, M.N., Kalugila, S.L., Muganyizi, M.B and Tesha, D. N.G.A.K. 2020. “Motivation and Challenges Facing Employers in Recruiting Professional Women in Building Construction Companies in Dar-Es-Salaam, Tanzania.” International Journal of Engineering and Management Research 11(2); 77–95. https://doi.org/10.31033/ijemr.10.2.8 DOI: https://doi.org/10.31033/ijemr.10.2.8
Ndinda, C. 2007. “Women’s Participation in Housing Delivery: The Case of Ezilweleni, South Africa.” Development Southern Africa 24(5): 665–680. https://doi.org/10.1080/03768350701650579 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/03768350701650579
Nwankwo, V.C. 2011. “Women’s Role in Traditional Housing Construction in Igboland, Nigeria,” Journal of Environmental Technology 2(1): 28–35.
OECD. 2019. “Gender Equality in the Economy: A Review of Trends and Challenges”. Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development.
Olayeni, K.P. and Adisa, B. 2023. “Breaking the Barrier: Women Participation in Housing Provision in Nigeria.” SN Social Sciences 3 (37): 1–16. https://doi.org/10.1007/s43545-023-00625-7. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s43545-023-00625-7
Opoku, R.A. 2010. “Housing the Urban Poor in Ghana.” Journal of Science and Technology 30(2): 87–98.
Oriye, O., Owoeye, O. and Weje, I.I. 2012. “Gender Equality in Housing Delivery –A Panacea to Adequate Housing Supply in Nigeria.” Mediterranean Journal of Social Sciences 3(11): 437–445.
Osubor, O. 2016. “Factors that Influence Female Folk to Engage in Building and Civil Engineering Construction Site Work in Nigeria: A case Study of Isoko Women.” American Journal of Engineering Research (AJER) 5(11): 131–137.
Papadakis, S. 2018. “Gender stereotypes in Greek Computer Science School Textbooks”. International Journal of Teaching and Case Studies 9(1): 48–71. https://doi.org/10.1504/IJTCS.2018.10011123 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1504/IJTCS.2018.10011123
https://doi.org/10.1504/IJTCS.2018.090196 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1504/IJTCS.2018.090196
Parveen, S., Ahmad, B., Iram, T. and Rasool, Y. 2022. “Women Empowerment in Inherited Land Rights: end of Violence in Rural Areas.” The Journal of Adult Protection 24(5/6): 231–242. https://doi.org/10.1108/JAP-05-2022-0009 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/JAP-05-2022-0009
Radhlinah, A. and Jingmond, M. 2011. “Issues Confronting Women Participation in the Construction Industry.” In Advances in Engineering and Technology-Contribution of Scientific Research in Development, 312–318. Makere University, Uganda.
Rakodi, C. and Withers, P. (1995). “Sites and services: Home ownership for the poor? Issues for evaluation and Zimbabwean experience.” Habitat International 19(3): 371–389. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/0197-3975(95)00005-Z
Ray, N. 2023. “We Look at Our Feet and Work: Women Construction Workers Negotiating Patriarchies in Kolkata, India.=, South Asia”. Journal of South Asian Studies 46(1): 39–54. https://doi.org/10.1080/00856401.2023.2138169. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/00856401.2023.2138169
Ronald, R. and Nakano, L. 2013. “Single Women and Housing Choices in Urban Japan.” Gend Place Cult 20(4): 451–469. https://doi.org/10.1080/0966369X.2012. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/0966369X.2012.694357
Rostiyanti, S.F., Hansen, S. and Harison, S. (2020). “Understanding the barriers to women’s career in construction industry: Indonesian perspective.” International Journal of Construction Supply Chain Management 10(4): 267–283. DOI: https://doi.org/10.14424/ijcscm100420-267-283
Saka, N., Adegbembo, T.F. and Anakor, C. A. 2022. “Socio-Economic Challenges Affecting Construction Women Labourers (WCLs) in the Nigerian Construction Sector (NCS).” Journal of Economics, Finance and Management Studies 5(1): 39–50. https://doi.org/10.47191/jefms/v5-i1-05 DOI: https://doi.org/10.47191/jefms/v5-i1-05
Schlyter, A. 2003. “Women’s Contribution to Informal Settlement Housing in Mozambique.” Journal of Housing and the Built Environment 18(2): 131–143.
Smith, J. 2022. “Zoning Laws and Gender: Implications for Women in Housing Production.” Urban Affairs Review 58(1): 30–50.
Statistics South Africa 2003. “Labour Force Survey”. Statistics South Africa, Pretoria.
Tadege, A. 2017. “Traditional Housing Construction in Ethiopia.” Journal of Ethiopian Studies 50(1), 115–132.
Tinker, I. 2018. “Beyond Economics: Sheltering the Whole Woman.” In Engendering Wealth and Well-being, edited by Rakowski C, Blumberg R.L., Rakowski, C.A., Tinker I
and Monteón M. London: Routledge, 261–283. https://doi.org/10.4324/9780429500800-17 DOI: https://doi.org/10.4324/9780429500800-17
Tunji-Olayeni, P.F., Kajimo-Shakantu, K and Oni, A.O. 2021. “Work-life Experiences of Women in the Construction Industry: A Case of Women in Lagos Mainland, Nigeria.” Earth and Environmental Science, 1–11. https://doi.org/10.1088/1755-1315/654/1/012012 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1088/1755-1315/654/1/012012
UN Women. 2019. “Turning Promises into Action: Gender Equality in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.” UN Women Publications.
UN Women. 2020. “Women’s Rights to Property and Housing.” UN Women Publications. https://www.unwomen.org.
Varley A. 1995. “Neither Victims nor Heroines: Women, Land and Housing in Mexico City.” Third World Planning Review 17(2): 169–182. https://doi.org/10.3828/twpr.17.2.f001n72556611908 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3828/twpr.17.2.f001n72556611908
Volbeda C. 1989. “Housing and Survival Strategies of Women in Metropolitan Slum Areas in Brazil.” Habitat International 13(3): 151–171. https://doi.org/10.1016/0197-3975(89)90029-5 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/0197-3975(89)90029-5
Wells, J. 2004. “Female Participation in the Construction Industry.” International Labour Office, Geneva.
World Economic Forum. 2023. “Global Gender Gap Report 2023”. World Economic Forum.
Yabushita, N.W., 2020. “Women in Business and Management in Thailand: Transforming High Participation without EEO. Journal of Southeast Asian Economies 37(2): 163–180. https://doi.org/10.1355/ae37-2c. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1355/ae37-2c
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
