Empowering women in Building Information Modelling: Barriers, Policies, and Strategies for Inclusivity

Purpose: The aim of this paper is to investigate women's involvement in Building Information Modelling (BIM) within the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) sector, therefore identifying main obstacles to career progress and investigating approaches to increase gender diversity. Particularly focused on Russia's AEC sector is its gender participation pattern in relation to world best standards.Methods: Incorporating a thorough literature review, workforce data analysis, and comparative assessment, the study takes a qualitative stance. Insight from peer-reviewed publications, industry studies, and government regulations forms the foundation of the research. Using thematic and comparative analysis, important hurdles including gender bias, pay differences, lack of mentoring, and corporate culture were examined.Results: Results show that women still remain much underrepresented in BIM, making only 10–15% of the workforce worldwide, and have less involvement in Russia. Though BIM could improve digital collaboration and flexibility, institutional and cultural elements cause gender inequalities even in this regard. The study points up important obstacles include pay differences, little possibility for promotion, and poor mentoring. Through flexible work schedules, corporate inclusion projects, and educational programs, BIM offers a chance to close this disparity though.Conclusions: The study emphasizes how urgently policy initiatives, leadership development programs, and workforce diversity strategies are needed to raise gender inclusiveness in BIM. Salary transparency, women's BIM education expansion, and flexible work schedules implementation help to create a more inclusive AEC sector. Not only is it a matter of equity, but addressing gender gaps in BIM is also strategically required for industrial innovation and competitiveness.