As an industry, architecture and design has long grappled with gender disparities, from unequal pay to underrepresentation in senior roles. While progress is being made, the reality is that women continue to face significant challenges in advancing their careers. This is why initiatives like the Women in Architecture (WIA) Mentoring Programme play such a vital role in shaping a more equitable future for the profession.
Garazi Murua, an architect and associate at Mailen Design, is actively involved as a mentor in this programme, sharing her experiences and insights to support the next generation of female architects. Through monthly mentoring sessions, she helps mentees navigate their career paths, develop confidence, and build strategies to achieve their professional goals.
HOW WOMEN IN ARCHITECTURE IS DRIVING CHANGE
WIA is an organisation dedicated to tackling the deep-rooted gender inequalities within architecture and advocating for a more inclusive profession. Their mission extends beyond mentorship—they work to ensure women’s voices are heard, challenge the systemic biases in education and practice, and highlight the contributions of female architects throughout history.
Their mentoring programme has grown rapidly in recent years, now supporting over 500 participants across various career stages. Through structured one-on-one sessions and group workshops, mentors and mentees explore topics ranging from career progression and salary negotiation to workplace confidence and leadership skills.
GARAZI’S MENTORSHIP JOURNEY
For Garazi, joining the WIA Mentoring Programme was an opportunity to give back in a tangible way. "I’ve always wanted to be more involved in initiatives like this, but work commitments often got in the way. When I heard about the mentoring programme, I knew I wanted to commit to something meaningful," she explains.
Mentorship, she says, is not about providing direct answers but about guiding mentees towards finding their own. "It’s about helping them work through their goals—both short-term and long-term—rather than giving them solutions. I’ve also realised that these conversations aren’t just beneficial for them; they’ve made me reflect on my own career path too," she adds.
One of the most rewarding aspects of the programme has been the genuine, open conversations she has had with her mentees. "Unlike other mentoring schemes, where the connection can feel more formal, this one really allows you to build trust over six months. You end up discussing career challenges in a way that’s deeply personal and honest, which is something I hadn’t expected but have really valued," she shares.
CREATING A MORE EQUITABLE FUTURE
While mentoring plays a crucial role in empowering women within the profession, there is still much work to be done to address systemic issues. Women in architecture continue to earn less, struggle for senior leadership positions, and often leave the industry altogether due to its lack of flexibility.
Progress is happening, and it’s important to acknowledge the steps being taken. As a gender-balanced practice with women in leadership roles, Mailen Design is proud to champion female architects and support a more inclusive profession. Programmes like Women in Architecture’s Mentoring Programme are a vital part of this, giving women at all stages of their careers the guidance, confidence, and networks they need to thrive.
So, what steps can we take to create lasting change?
Encouraging more women into leadership: We need to actively support female architects in stepping into senior roles, ensuring that workplaces provide clear progression pathways.
Addressing the gender pay gap: Transparent salary structures and better negotiation strategies—like those discussed in WIA workshops—are crucial in closing the earnings disparity.
Fostering more inclusive work environments: Firms must create more flexible working arrangements to support work-life balance and ensure that career breaks, such as maternity leave, do not hinder long-term progression.
Amplifying women’s voices in architecture: Recognising and celebrating the work of female architects—both past and present—is vital in shifting the industry's culture and ensuring future generations have role models to look up to.
LOOKING AHEAD
Mentorship alone cannot solve the structural inequalities within architecture, but it is a crucial step in the right direction. As the WIA Mentoring Programme continues to grow, so does the potential for meaningful change—one conversation, one connection, and one career breakthrough at a time.
Garazi’s experience highlights the power of guidance, reflection, and support in shaping a fairer profession. "You don’t always realise how much you’ve learned until you start sharing it with someone else. It’s been a reminder that we all have valuable insights to offer—and that supporting one another is how we move forward," she reflects.
This International Women’s Day, we celebrate the impact of mentorship and the collective effort needed to build an architecture industry where talent, not gender, determines success.