Gender inequality remains a significant issue in the architecture industry, according to a new survey of female architects working around the world.

The fifth annual Women in Architecture survey, published by the Architecture Review, shows that of 1,152 respondents, 67 per cent felt the building industry does not fully accept their authority because they are female and 72 per cent said they had experienced sexual discrimination, harassment or victimisation during their career.

The findings follow remarks by Zaha Hadid – who this year became the first woman to win the prestigious RIBA Gold Medal in their own right in the award’s 168-year history – commenting on discrimination in the industry.

“I am judged a lot more harshly because I am a woman,” she told the BBC. “I don’t care what people say or think. I do what I like. People are not used to that.”

The Women in Architecture survey has also shed light on inequalities and perceived inequalities in pay between men and women working in the industry. Forty per cent of women surveyed worldwide said they thought they would be paid more if they were male.

Data collected for the survey recorded a median salary of £38,500 (US$53,600, €49,300) for experienced female architects working full time – £7,000 (US$9,700, €8,900) less than their male counterparts. The self-reported median salary of surveyed male architects working at director or principal level was £82,000 (US$112,200, €105,100) – 31 per cent higher than for female architects at the same level.

Dissatisfaction was found to be lower in practices where a significant proportion of the management team are women, and in working environments offering mentoring schemes.

Most of the women surveyed were based in the UK. A quarter of those said they would not be willing to recommend a career in architecture to another woman.

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