Each March, Women’s History Month and International Women’s Day (8 March) provide us with the chance to direct our attention towards the significant contributions women offer to the architectural profession. It's also a time to reflect on our advancements in tackling the structural barriers that uphold inequality and hinder women's achievements.
Women's History Month 2024 Round-Up
A blog summarising the activities and events in celebration of Women's History Month and International Women's Day by four RIBA Charted Practices: Foster+Partner's, TP Bennett, Fuse Architects and BDP. All of these practices are members of our RIBA EDI Leaders' Action Group.
RIBA Chief Executive named in Dezeen's 50 most powerful women in architecture and design
RIBA Chief Executive Dr Valerie Vaughan-Dick MBE has been named one of the 50 most powerful women in architecture and design in Dezeen's power list to mark International Women's Day 2024.
Read the Dezeen article on the 50 most powerful women in architecture and design.
Women’s History Month: Reflecting on gender inequity in design
As Women’s History Month draws to a close, Marina Milosev, planning policy lead at the London Legacy Development Corporation, reflects on gender-informed urban design.
Tackling gender inequity in the built environment
In this blog to mark Women’s History Month, RIBA Chief Executive Dr Valerie Vaughan-Dick MBE reflects on progress in tackling gender inequity in architecture and beyond.
RIBA Collections: spotlight on MJ Long
On the theme of Women’s History Month, we’re spotlighting Mary Jane (MJ) Long, an architect whose crucial role in the design of the British Library is increasingly coming to light. A recent cataloguing effort by the RIBA Collections team has highlighted the pivotal contributions of MJ Long to numerous architectural projects, notably the British Library.
Read our spotlight on MJ Long.
Fame exhibition in the RIBA Library
Our exhibition in the library, Exposing the Barriers in Architecture, from a FAME (Female Architects of Minority Ethnic) Perspective, is open now. FAME collective’s research and exhibition are explored through an intersectional feminist lens to amplify the underrepresented voices in architecture.
A guided tour led by Tumpa Husna Yasmin Fellows of the exhibition will take place at 5.30pm on Thursday 11 April. Book a free place.
Explore the exhibition: Exposing the Barriers in Architecture, from a FAME Perspective
Upcoming events
Over March, there are several events celebrating women in architecture that we are pleased to share.
Celebrating Women in Architecture exhibition
Tuesday 7 March 2024
The Birmingham Architectural Association's annual Celebrating Women in Architecture exhibition, in celebration of International Women’s Day, returns at the Birmingham Symphony Hall, where they will be showcasing some of the exceptional female talent in the Midlands region.
Find out more about the Celebrating Women in Architecture event.
RIBA/AIA Middle East: International Women’s Day, 2024 - “Inspire Inclusion”
Thursday 7 March 2024
The RIBA Gulf Chapter and AIA Middle East join forces to discuss how women are Inspiring Inclusion by leading much needed change within the industry in which we work and the societies in which we live.
Get your tickets for the free Inspire Inclusion webinar.
International Women's Day breakfast at Frank Shaw Leeds
Friday March 8 2024
Celebrate International Women's Day with a delicious breakfast at Frank Shaw. Join for a morning of empowerment, connection, and inspiration. Indulge in the excitement with complimentary coffee, refreshing juice, and delectable pastries while you listen to some inspiring talks, including a special guest.
Book your ticket for the International Women’s Day breakfast.
Additional resources
Addressing gender inequity in the built environment
On 23 January, the RIBA Inclusion and Diversity Team hosted an event addressing gender inequity in the built environment at 66 Portland Place in London. This thought-provoking, challenging and ultimately, energising, event centred on the expertise and lived experiences of women working in the built environment.
We have highlighted key actions that emerged to address gender inequity in the built environment.
Ten actions to address gender inequity in the built environment
Watch the recordings for this event in the playlist below:
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RIBA Books
The RIBA Books team have a selection of both available and upcoming on the theme of Women's History Month:
100 Women: Architects in Practice
Women within architecture have always been underrepresented. This highly illustrated book provides a flagship reference for women's contribution to architecture, offering inspiration to readers through 100 profiles. (Available now)
Thrive: A field guide for women in architecture
A practical guide for students and architects which explores the history of women in architecture and examines how the profession can better serve women in future. The book covers women architects from all walks of life, all sizes of practice and from all over the world, including Jeanne Gang, Yasmeen Lari and Anupama Kundoo as well as many other historical and contemporary women architects and emerging practices. (Available now)
Find out more about RIBA's equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) work.
