In recent years, APEC has been dedicated to diminishing inequality by increasing the participation of women in non-traditional sectors, such as the building sector. According to the ILO Global Wage Report 2018/2019, women continue to be paid approximately 20% less than men. Meanwhile, the World Economic Forum found that women in architecture and engineering earn 27% less than men. Therefore, Chinese Taipei launched the project of Women Builders Creating Inclusive Future to encourage APEC economies to implement measures on developing women’s talent in the building sector to reduce wage gaps, foster vocational and skills education for women, and increase the number of women in leadership positions.

Accordingly, a virtual seminar was held on July 28-29, 2021 calling for collective efforts to create an enabling and supportive environment for women practitioners. In the seminar, the Role Model Handbook and Women Builders Creating Inclusive Future Principles were presented, and outstanding women architects and experts in the construction sector were invited to share their experiences and insights.