In anticipation of International Women’s Day 2025, Hand Media International’s Managing Editor, Rebecca Spayne, sat down with Faith Abudu, Founder of Diversity and Inclusion in Construction (DIIC), to discuss the imperative of accelerating gender equality within the construction industry and wider.
In an industry still striving for greater representation and inclusivity, Hand Media International’s Managing Editor, Rebecca Spayne, recently joined Faith Abudu, Founder of Diversity and Inclusion in Construction (DIIC), for an in-depth discussion on diversity, equity, and accessibility across the built environment, which can be found on YouTube or LinkedIn. The interview comes as the sector prepares to mark International Women’s Day on March 8, with this year’s theme, Accelerate Action, urging industries to drive meaningful change.
With a role covering industries from security and fire safety to construction and housebuilding, Spayne emphasised the importance of representation in media. “I strive very hard to provide representation in the magazines we publish—not just for gender, but all types of inclusivity,” she explained. “We work closely with different organisations to showcase the incredible talent across industries, and it’s encouraging to see more sectors coming together to address these challenges.”
Reflecting on her personal perspective, Spayne acknowledged the progress made but emphasised that there is still much work to be done. “We’ve overcome amazing hurdles, but there’s still a long road ahead. At a recent think tank discussion, we explored how to engage young people in STEM careers from an early age. It’s not just about transitioning later in life, or transferable skills—it’s about reshaping the stereotype of what a ‘security officer’, ‘fire risk assessor’ or a ‘construction professional’ looks like.”
Abudu echoed these sentiments, noting that the industry still suffers from significant gender disparity. “Four to five years ago, women made up just 14% of the construction workforce. Today, that figure has risen to 18%, but it’s still far too low,” she stated.
Spayne reinforced the need for proactive efforts in hiring and career development. “Women make up over 50% of the population, yet they remain vastly underrepresented in many industries. Companies need to recognise that a diverse workforce attracts a broader talent pool. We cannot afford to overlook half the population when addressing workforce challenges.”
Beyond gender diversity, the discussion also explored the inclusion of disabled professionals in the workforce. Spayne shared a personal perspective on the systemic barriers faced by people with disabilities. “My mother became terminally ill and wheelchair-bound about a decade ago. Suddenly, things that were once simple—like going to work, traveling, or even finding an accessible restroom—became enormous challenges. If we can’t get basic accessibility right in society, how can we expect businesses to be truly inclusive?”
She called for structural changes across industries to support disabled professionals and ensure that hiring decisions are based on talent and ability rather than perceived limitations. “When hiring someone, the only question should be: ‘Can they do the job?’ If they can, then accommodations should be made as needed. It shouldn’t even be a debate.”
As International Women’s Day approaches, Spayne and Abudu’s discussion serves as a timely reminder that while progress has been made, sustained action is required to create lasting change. “We need more decision-makers at the top who understand and advocate for inclusion,” Spayne said. “Women inherently bring valuable soft skills to leadership, yet these qualities are often undervalued in decision-making roles. We need to change that perception.”
Abudu concluded by stressing the urgency of these conversations. “This isn’t just about numbers—it’s about fundamentally changing the culture of our industries. We need to ensure that diverse talent can not only enter but also thrive.”
Hand Media International is proud to be able to celebrate our diverse team of talent that work for the company not just for International Women’s Day, but year-round.
About Hand Media
Hand Media International is an award winning, visionary media company founded in 1990, driving transformation in various B2B sectors like Security, Fire, Confectionery, Bakery, International Trade, House Building, and B2C sectors such as Country Music. We pride ourselves on being independently owned and committed to uncompromised excellence. Our expansion through international acquisitions showcases our dedication to innovation and quality.
We create and distribute seven impactful publications, inspiring change and pushing media boundaries with our holistic content production approach. Alongside print and digital platforms, we host diverse in-person and virtual events, fostering networking, knowledge exchange, and industry advancement.
What sets us apart are our curated databases, supporting insightful analysis and targeted communication strategies, positioning us as market leaders. Our diverse team of dynamic and innovative individuals fuels our success and constant evolution.
