Hello Period Equity supporting Women in the Trades

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Statistics released by the B.C. Construction Association (BCCA) in their 2024 Spring Stat Pack shows that 9,536 women are currently working in the construction trades, which is 5.7 percent of the total workforce. This reflects a 24 percent increase over the past five years. 

According to Rory Kulmala, CEO of the Vancouver Island Construction Association, “From our experience, employers that prioritize an equitable, safe, and harassment-free workplace are going to find the most success with employing and retaining female employees.” 

And with stats like these from BuildForce Canada:

• Employment and labour force metrics rose by 11.4% and 13.7% among women aged 15 years and over.

• Employment was also higher among core-aged females (i.e., those aged 25 to 54 years) and among older female workers (i.e., those aged 55 years and over), but this growth was partially offset by a contraction in employment among female workers aged 24 years and younger. 

Canada's construction industry faces unprecedented labor shortages while the fastest-growing workforce segment (women and gender-diverse individuals) encounters monthly workplace barriers that impact both dignity and productivity. So when half your workforce menstruates and skilled labor is at a premium, workplace equity becomes workplace strategy - reducing absenteeism, enhancing retention, and positioning your organization as the employer of choice for the talent that will build Canada's infrastructure future.