On November 15 at BIM Expo, IFEMA (Madrid) a round table entitled “BIM in the Venus Clef” took place with top-level speakers. The meeting celebrated the 10th anniversary of Women in BIM and had the objective of promoting gender equality and diversity in the construction and digital sectors within the framework of a trade fair.

Coming from different professional realities, they discussed the possible reasons why, unlike design or sustainability, there is a lower number of women on construction sites or in technological and programming positions. It is not simply a question of personal affinity, but it seems that there is also a cultural base that slows down their presence in technical activities and in the leadership where decisions are made.

Most of the speakers explained that they felt freely attracted to these sectors. And that throughout their learning itineraries or professional careers they did not find barriers or limitations to take the path of technology or construction. Perhaps therefore they got to where they are today! The surprise for some came when they reached a certain level of responsibility, then they discovered that in strategic meetings and management positions there is still a significant minority of women.

At the end of the debate, we proposed to increase the critical mass of technical professionals by giving greater visibility to the work of very different profiles of women and thus create more references for girls in technology and construction works.

Society in general must know that architecture, infrastructure, construction, and technology works have a social value that can be attractive to very different types of people.

Diversity favors greater innovation, creativity, and efficiency in any activity.

Thank you all and let’s go for it!

Round table with:

María Benítez Balseiro, ISDEFE

Ana Belén Gutiérrez, APOGEA

Norena Martín-Dorta, ULL

Lola Ortiz, Ayuntamiento de Madrid

María Pascual Sáez, URBIM

María José Pérez Crespo, HISPALYT

Rosa San Mateos Carretón, TECNALIA

Raquel Veneros Gómez, INECO

And moderated by: