London South Bank University is hosting a major event in London from 11th January aimed at exploring the challenges faced by women in architecture. There will be a second event in Lahore on the 18th and 19th January. The events are being organised by The Voices of Women in Architecture. 

The call for gender equality was made by Professor Igea Troiani, Head of LSBU’s Division of Architecture, and Dr. Mamuna Iqbal Vice President Women in Architecture Pakistan and the key speaker at the Lahore events is Architect Yasmeen Laari, recipient of RIBA Royal Gold Medal 2023, who was Pakistan’s first female architect and the flag bearer of socially responsible architecture in the country.

In April 2023 the Architects Registration Board said only 31% of UK architects are female (a fall from 32% in 2022) and women remain ‘underrepresented in the architects’ profession’.

The Voices of Women in Architecture events in January 2024 will celebrate the achievements of women in architecture and explore the challenges they face which include stereotypical comments about their appearance or demeanor that can hamper their career progression or ability to stay long term in the profession. Misconceptions about why women struggle with equal pay and opportunities in the design field included the stereotype that architectural site work is a ‘man’s job’. They can suffer from gender pay inequality and sometimes not being taken seriously in the construction site and the office. RIBA’s guidance on improving gender equality recommends recruiters avoid ‘language coded towards gender stereotypes’

Dr. Mamuna Iqbal, Vice President of Women in Architecture (WAP), said: “In Pakistan and South Asia, female professionals encounter a myriad of challenges that stem from societal norms, cultural expectations, and systemic barriers. Gender bias and traditional beliefs often restrict women progress in challenging professions like Architecture. However, many resilient women continue to break barriers and pave the way for change and this event is a step towards it.”