World: The Global Cement and Concrete Association (GCCA) has launched a year-long spotlight on the work of women in the cement industry under the tagline Essential Women in Essential Industry. The launch of the campaign on International Women’s Day 2023 included video stories from 100 women across different industry roles.

Secil chief operating officer Majida Chahine, who in 1997 became the industry’s first female general manager in Lebanon, encouraged women to ‘break barriers to create a better future for themselves and others.’

Megan Mulholland, a Breedon Group weighbridge operator in Ireland, said “I think the industry is changing as more women are coming through.”

GCCA cement director Claude Lorea said “Concrete is essential to us all. It provides homes, connects communities, encourages trade, provides energy, and improves health. The wide-reaching roles covered by the women in these videos demonstrate the variety of skills they provide to our industry.” She concluded “Having a diverse industry enables us to problem-solve and succeed. There’s still a lot more we have to do, to have gender parity in heavy industries like ours. But today and throughout 2023, we celebrate the women already working with us to break down barriers.”