Mulheres na engenharia civil: decisões na atuação profissional

Abstract

The increase in the number of women in professions that are traditionally considered masculine, such as civil engineering, did not eliminate the barriers they face. It is still possible to observe that, in some cases, women do not identify themselves or qualify as suitable for the environment. Considering that there is still a significant difference between the number of men and women working in this field, this study examines the inclusion and persistence of women in the field of civil engineering and reflects on the freedom of women to pursue careers in this field. As a methodological approach, informative readings and historical records were used to guide the development of an online questionnaire, which was administered from April 28 to May 30, 2023, to female civil engineers or students. A total of 234 responses were collected and analyzed, revealing perceptions regarding the career that can influence women in their professional paths within civil engineering or even lead to leave the field. The reports indicate that the perception of undervaluation in this profession causes discontentment for a significant portion of women.