Underrepresentation of Women in UK Industries

As we approach International Women’s Day in the UK, it is important to reflect on the progress that UK industries has made towards gender equality, but also where gaps still exist.

Women make up just over half of the UK population and nearly half of the overall employment market. However, many of the sectors that we operate in remain extremely male-dominated.

Extractives and Quarrying

The mining, quarrying and extractives industry remains one of the most male-dominated sectors in the UK. According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), women account for approximately 10–15% of the workforce in the industry, with a clear gender gap in operational and plant-based roles.

Construction

The construction industry shows one of the most recognised gender imbalances in the UK. Statistics show that:

• Women represent approximately 340,000 (15%) of the total UK construction workforce. However, the majority of these roles sit within administrative, design, surveying, architecture and professional services
• Women account for around 1–2% of site-based manual roles
• Only 13% of senior management roles are held by women across the sector

The 2025 Trends Analysis Report continues to highlight the gap between women in office-based roles and operational site environments.

Waste Management

The waste and recycling sector is no different where gender representation remains quite low.

The Chartered Institution of Wastes Management (CIWM) reports that women account for approximately 19% of the UK waste and recycling workforce.

Operational, logistics and mobile plant-based roles remain predominantly male. However, the industry has seen an increase of women in environmental compliance, sustainability and technology innovation roles.

Agriculture

Agriculture presents a more progressive picture of gender representation, however there is still inequality across the sector.

According to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA’s) Agricultural Workforce 2025 statistics:

• Only 16% of ‘principal’ farmers and holders are female. This figure has remained roughly the same over the last years.
• The highest number of female farmers is within the under 35 age group (19%)
• Across the wider agricultural workforce, approximately 30% of women hold services and management roles. Despite progress in leadership roles, farm ownership and main operational roles remain heavily male-dominated.

In an article, farmer and journalist Olivia Shave claims “Access to land is one of the biggest barriers, particularly for first-generation farmers who aren’t inheriting farms or land.” She continues to explain that women face additional scrutiny about their capabilities when securing tenancies.

Reasons Behind Gender Inequality

Understanding the statistics is important but understanding the reasons why is key to improving the gender inequality gap.

Construction, extractives/quarrying, waste management and agriculture, gender inequality have been historically known for physically demanding and site-based work. Perceptions of these industries have not always kept up to date with evolving technical and technological advancements.

Common reasons behind the gender gap:

• Perception and stereotypes – many roles within these industries are still viewed as ‘male’ occupations. This can discourage women from applying for positions in plant operations and site-based work.
• Visibility – with few women in operational and leadership positions, there are fewer visible examples for other women to follow.
• Site conditions and practical barriers – site facilities, shift patterns, PPE restrictions can deter women from the industry. Some companies have started to make clear improvements but there are still disparities across industries.

Why Gender Equality Matters

Across these four sectors, there is clear pattern – women are still underrepresented in operational and site-based roles. Women in these industries face issues with access, perception and visibility.

For industries built on regulated standards and high-risk operational environments, attracting and developing the widest possible talent pool is essential. Improving gender representation is about ensuring opportunity reflects capability.

International Women’s Day provides an opportunity to understand where industries are at, and what steps need to be taken next to improve gender equality.