Campaigns

Release the Bogs: Why Site Welfare Matters

The CICES Women’s Network is proud to support the Release the Bogs campaign and the important conversation it is driving across the construction industry.

At first glance, toilets and welfare facilities may seem like a basic issue. The truth is they are basic, and that is exactly the point. Access to clean, safe, private and suitable welfare facilities should not be viewed as a luxury or an afterthought. It is a fundamental part of creating workplaces that are respectful, inclusive and fit for everyone working within them.

For too long, women in construction have had to accept poor standards on site, whether that means inadequate toilet facilities, a lack of privacy, or welfare arrangements that clearly were not designed with them in mind. These are not minor inconveniences. They affect dignity, wellbeing, confidence and, ultimately, retention within the industry.

If construction is serious about attracting more women and keeping them in the profession, then the industry must get the basics right. That means moving beyond statements of support and focusing on practical change. Better welfare provision is not just about compliance. It is about culture. It sends a clear message about who is considered, who is valued, and whether the industry is genuinely prepared to create environments where women can thrive.

The Release the Bogs campaign shines a light on an issue many women have experienced but too often felt unable, or unwilling, to raise. It challenges the industry to stop normalising poor standards and instead take responsibility for improving day-to-day site conditions for everyone.

At CICES Women’s Network, we believe change happens when people are willing to speak honestly about the barriers that still exist and when the industry is willing to listen and act. Campaigns like this matter because they take a real, practical issue and force it into the spotlight. They remind us that improving the experience of women in construction is not only about opening doors into the profession, but also about making sure the environment they enter is one where they are respected, supported and able to succeed.

We welcome the conversations this campaign is creating and support the continued push for higher standards across the sector. Because if we want a more inclusive industry, we cannot ignore the everyday issues that make women feel overlooked.

It is time to stop treating site welfare as a side issue. It is a professional standard, a dignity issue, and a clear measure of whether our industry is truly progressing.

Call to action

The CICES Women’s Network encourages members, employers and industry leaders to support better welfare standards across construction and civil engineering. Real change will not come from awareness alone. It will come from action, accountability and a commitment to doing better.

Find more info by following Katy Robinson on Katy Robinson MCIOB | LinkedIn