The Built Environment Women’s Network (BEWN) was launched by the Council for the Built Environment (CBE) as an instrument to empower women. 

Thirty years into democracy, the built environment sector is still not transformed and not reflective of the demographic make-up of the country. The sector is still male dominated with women poorly represented, while the youth is struggling to find opportunities.  

From stats to support 

Launched in March 2024, the Built Environment National Logbook (BENL), is a comprehensive, centrally located electronic database. It tracks and monitors-built environment professionals, candidates, students, unemployed graduates, and artisans. This provides accurate statistical data continuously to the government and the industry. 

One of the key strategic objectives of the BENL is to support the participation of women in the built environment and help improve the socio-economic landscape of the sector. It is against this background that the BEWN was also launched. But how will this be implemented practically? 

Online platform 

The BEWN operates an online platform that aims to provide a supportive and empowering community for women working in the built environment sector. It serves as a hub with the goal of promoting gender equality, empowering women, and fostering leadership and career progression in the industry. 

Driven by a commitment to collaboration and partnership, the BEWN strives to catalyse positive change and advance gender equality within the industry, by offering: 

• Networking opportunities for women within the built environment sector to connect and build professional relationships.  
• Knowledge sharing and collaboration through the exchange of ideas, best practices and industry-specific knowledge among women professionals, through discussion forums, interest groups or virtual communities. 
• Promotion of professional development by offering resources, webinars, workshops and mentoring programmes to enhance the skills and competencies of women in the industry.  
• Access to industry experts, thought leaders and training opportunities to support career growth and development. 
• Raising awareness of gender disparities within the built environment sector and advocating for equal opportunities for female representation in leadership positions, boardrooms and decision-making processes. 
• Mentoring and sponsorship programmes to support the advancement of women professionals. 

Girls in construction 

The network also offers programmes such as the “Take a Girl Child to Work” initiative, which allows young girls to be exposed to different built environment disciplines at work. 

This inspiration came from the success of the CBE’s Women Empowerment and Gender Equality (WEGE) webinar series, where career development and advancement for women was a focal issue. 

Dr Msizi Myeza, chief executive officer of the CBE, invites all stakeholders, particularly women in the built environment, to join in the journey of women empowerment and gender equality in the sector with the BEWN. 

The BEWN aims to support women in the built environment through an online portal that serves as a community, a hub for networking and offers a range of initiatives for growth. 

For more information, visit the CBE: 

Tel: +27 12 346 3985 

Email: info@cbe.org.za 

Website: www.cbe.org.za