Sexism is one of those words that makes people uncomfortable, and honestly, it should.
Because sexism isn’t subtle. It’s not confusing. It’s not something you “might be imagining.”
Sexism is when someone treats you differently because of your gender — knowingly.
I want to talk about sexism from my experience as a woman in a male-dominated industry, while also acknowledging that many of the tools we use to navigate sexism can also be applied to other forms of discrimination, including racism. I’ve seen how deeply and unfairly these systems impact women and people of colour, often far more severely.
Sexism still exists even if it looks different
Outright sexism is becoming less socially acceptable, but it hasn’t disappeared. It exists on a spectrum from people saying they “don’t think women should do this job,” all the way to extreme, systemic oppression happening in parts of the world today.
When I look at situations like what women are experiencing in places such as Afghanistan, my heart genuinely aches. And while I know I can’t fix everything, part of the reason I am writing these blogs, and share resources freely is because I believe that even a 1% improvement in someone’s situation matters.
If I can support someone who then supports someone else, who then creates change for another woman, I want to be part of that chain.
Why self-concept matters so much
Having a strong self-concept a solid belief that you belong here and you are capable is one of the biggest protective factors against sexism.
When your self-concept is strong, sexist comments still hurt, but they don’t define you. They don’t get to rewrite the story you tell yourself about your worth or your ability.
It also lowers your tolerance for bullshit. When you truly believe you deserve respect, you stop negotiating with behaviour that says otherwise.
Sexism vs unconscious bias
Sexism is different from unconscious bias.
Unconscious bias is, by definition, unintentional. Sexism usually isn’t.
In most cases, sexism is conscious behaviour. The person knows exactly what they’re doing, and that’s why understanding the difference is so important. Because it helps you decide what tools to use, and when enough is enough.
A moment where “enough” was enough
One of my clearest experiences with outright sexism happened while working at a site where my boss and I were stationed long-term.
My boss was going through cancer treatment at the time, and I stayed in that role longer than I should have out of loyalty and understanding of his situation.
The site owner and his second-in-charge were openly sexist. They wrote things on the whiteboard like:
“Women’s rights here” (in a tiny circle) and “Men’s rights everywhere else.”
Almost daily, I heard:
“Louise, clean up you’re the woman.”
Once, my boss was there when it happened and corrected them:
“No, he can clean up.”
But my boss wasn’t there often, and eventually, it became too much. I had to ask not to be sent to that site anymore. Even with everything going on, sometimes enough is enough.
Knowing when to escalate — and when to leave
If you choose to, the first step is to have the confronting conversation. Be specific.
For example:
“Yesterday when you said ‘clean up Louise, you’re the woman,’ I felt that it wasn’t appropriate. We’re a team of technicians, and the cleaning should be shared. In future, I expect that.”
Then you observe.
Do they change?
If not, you have options:
- Escalate to HR, your union, or your labour hire organisation
- Or decide it’s time to leave
A huge red flag — one of the biggest — is when someone finds it amusing that their behaviour bothers you. That tells you everything you need to know about their willingness to change.
All of this is connected
Sexism, unconscious bias, imposter syndrome, difficult conversations, self-concept, and mental health — they all feed into each other.
When you’re battling sexism daily, it drains your energy. It chips away at your confidence. And even if you started with strong mental health, prolonged exposure to bullying or discrimination can break anyone down.
And here’s something important to remember:
If you go to another workplace and suddenly everything feels different — more respectful, more supportive — then it was never you. It was the environment.
You don’t have to stay
We are in a skill shortage.
That gives you options.
If you’ve stood up for yourself and the behaviour continues, you are allowed to leave. You don’t have to prove resilience by enduring mistreatment.
You deserve a workplace that respects you.
Final Thoughts
Understanding sexism isn’t about becoming bitter or hardened. It’s about knowing your worth, recognising red flags, and choosing where your energy goes.
And sometimes, choosing yourself means walking away.
If you’re a tradeswoman or tradesperson who’d like some help navigating this journey, I’d love to chat. You can book a coaching consultation with me here:
https://calendly.com/louise-azzopardi/coaching_consult
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