Housing Assembly Workshop – Women’s Day, (25 August 2024)

Date: 25 August 2024

Location: University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa

Overview of the Workshop

On 25 August 2024, in celebration of Women’s Day, we partnered with the Housing Assembly leaders to host an inspiring and transformative workshop. This event was designed to empower women, promote leadership, and foster stronger community connections. Building on the momentum from the Innovative Solutions for Affordable Housing (ISAH) Symposium held from 4–6 June 2024, the Housing Assembly leaders expressed their enthusiasm to collaborate further, bringing their members into this meaningful initiative.

Workshop Objectives

This interactive session focused on:

1. Empowering Women in Construction and Leadership: Showcasing the critical role women can play in driving change within the Alternative Building Technology (ABT) space and informal housing initiatives.

2. Building Confidence and Leadership Skills: Equipping participants with tools to grow personally and professionally, enabling them to lead initiatives in their communities.

3. Fostering Connections: Strengthening networks among women from diverse backgrounds to create a supportive community focused on shared goals.

4. Promoting Women’s Involvement in ABTs: Raising awareness of the opportunities for women to actively participate in alternative construction practices and housing solutions.

Workshop Highlights

1. Engaging Discussions

   • Women leaders from various communities shared their experiences and challenges, sparking thought-provoking conversations about gender roles in housing development.

   • Participants explored strategies to overcome barriers and empower women in traditionally male-dominated spaces, such as construction and project management.

2. Expert-Led Talks

   • Industry experts provided insights into the use of ABTs in addressing housing challenges and emphasized how women’s involvement could revolutionize the sector.

   • Leadership coaches led sessions on effective communication, team building, and conflict resolution, tailored to community leaders.

3. Hands-On Activities

   • Collaborative problem-solving activities encouraged creativity and teamwork among attendees.

4. Success Stories

   • The workshop celebrated successful women leaders in housing and construction, showcasing their journeys as examples of resilience and innovation.

   • Testimonials from participants of the ISAH symposium highlighted the transformative potential of ABTs in their communities.

Key Outcomes

1. Empowered Leaders

   The workshop equipped women with leadership tools and confidence to advocate for better housing and community-driven initiatives.

2. Broader Awareness of ABTs

   Participants gained a deeper understanding of how alternative building technologies can offer affordable, sustainable solutions for housing challenges.

3. Strengthened Collaboration

   This event solidified the partnership between our team and the Housing Assembly, opening new avenues for co-designed projects that prioritize women’s involvement in housing solutions.

   
   

Looking Ahead

This Women’s Day workshop marked the beginning of a powerful collaboration with the Housing Assembly. Together, we aim to amplify the voices of women in housing development, foster inclusive leadership, and champion sustainable solutions through ABTs. As we continue to work with these inspiring women, we remain committed to building stronger, more resilient communities that leave no one behind.

Snapshots of Housing Assembly Workshop