WOMEN’STEC was proud to partner with Construction Futures NI and the Construction Employers Federation to deliver the “Building Respect: Laying the Foundations for Change” conference on May 7 at the Dunsilly Hotel, Antrim. The event, headline sponsored by WOMEN’STEC patron Gilbert-Ash, brought together leaders from across the construction industry for a day of honest, challenging and thought-provoking conversation around workplace culture, respect, and the role the sector can play in helping to end male violence against women and girls.
Throughout the day, attendees engaged with powerful stories, hard-hitting statistics and important discussions that challenged the industry to reflect on its responsibility for creating safer, more inclusive workplaces and communities. Attendees were encouraged to rethink how we frame the issue, shifting the focus towards accountability and the role men must play in driving meaningful change.
Building Respect heard from a world class line up of speakers including Dr Sajjan Gohel, International Security Director for the Asia-Pacific Foundation, and globally renowned gender equality advocate Dr Jackson Katz. Representatives from Longford Women’s Link spoke about the current domestic violence situation on the Island of Ireland, whilst Ryan Somerville, Head of Policy & Research for the Ending Violence Against Women and Girls Directorate in The Executive Office spoke about the government’s strategy to address the issue, outlining the government’s strategic, whole-society approach to prevention, early intervention and the importance of cross-sector collaboration, prevention and cultural change in tackling male violence against women and girls. There was also a series of informative workshops conducted by practitioners from four key partner organisations – White Ribbon NI, Women’s Aid, the Labour Relations Agency and Lewis Silken.
What stood out most was the level of engagement in the room. Leaders didn’t simply attend; they listened, reflected, asked difficult questions, and openly discussed what real change could look like within not just their organisations, but their wider communities and beyond. WOMEN’STEC remains dedicated to promoting inclusive, safe, and respectful work environments and continues to work across the industry to embed lasting cultural change. The strong participation highlights the ongoing importance of this effort and the need to expand partnerships that enhance women’s safety, participation, and advancement in construction.
