What construction can learn from action against violence to women

I’ve been listening to Dr Jackson Katz’s audiobook Every Man: Why Violence Against Women is a Man’s Issue. It’s powerful, challenging, and full of lessons that resonate with what we’re trying to do at We Build Too.

Katz’s central point is simple but transformative: violence against women isn’t a “women’s problem” to fix. It’s a men’s issue, and men have to be part of the solution.

That message feels particularly relevant in the construction industry, the most male-dominated in the UK.

Lessons that resonate

As I listened, a few themes stood out as especially important for construction:

• Invisible burdens: Katz contrasts the everyday steps women take to avoid harassment or assault with the steps men take (often none). It’s a stark reminder of unequal responsibility, and it echoes the experiences of tradeswomen who often adapt in ways their male colleagues don’t even notice.

• The silence of bystanders: Many men want change, but they stay quiet. Fear of standing out or losing approval keeps them silent. On-site, “fitting in” can carry more weight than speaking up.

• Systemic change, systemic results: Katz and others, like Gary Barker from Equimundo, remind us that without structural change, we won’t see lasting results. This aligns with our belief at We Build Too that it’s not enough to recruit women; the environment, the models and the industry itself have to change.

Why this matters for construction

Our industry faces a critical moment. Nearly 40% of the workforce is set to retire by 2030, yet women remain a tiny minority in trades (less than 2% on the tools). If we want to close the skills gap, we can’t just tell women they can come in. We need to ensure that women feel respected, safe, and able to thrive once they are inside.

That means tackling culture head-on. Katz’s work shows us that prevention and equality aren’t side issues; they’re central to building an industry fit for the future.

Building on allyship

Recently, I wrote about why we need allies in the construction industry. Katz’s book strengthens that case: men can’t be passive bystanders. They need to be active participants, shaping the culture of our sites and workplaces.

And crucially, this isn’t about blaming men. It’s about encouraging them to be better versions of themselves, for their own benefit as well as for the benefit of women.

Shared benefits

A safer, fairer construction industry won’t just improve life for women. It will make work better for men, too; improved sites, stronger teams, and healthier careers. As Katz puts it, this is about communities as a whole, not just individuals.

The invitation

So here’s the invitation I want to leave with men in the industry:

What’s one thing you could do differently to help build a better, safer construction industry?

It’s a question we’re left with at the end of Katz's book, and one we need to take seriously if we’re going to solve the skills shortage and create an industry where everyone can thrive.

If this resonates, I’d recommend Dr Jackson Katz’s (audio)book Every Man: Why Violence Against Women is a Man’s Issue. It’s an eye-opening listen for anyone who cares about equality and leadership.