Purpose This study aims to explore gender dynamics in African facilities management (FM) by identifying the structural and cultural barriers that limit women’s participation in decision-making, design and implementation. The study argues that the absence of gender-responsive FM policies and routines produces unsafe, inefficient and unsustainable environments and proposes actionable reforms to African institutional realities. Design/methodology/approach The study uses a semi-systematic review, combining structured database searches (Scopus and Google Scholar) with interpretive synthesis of peer-reviewed research, policy documents and African case studies. Guided by abductive reasoning, the analysis is framed through gendered organisations theory and feminist institutionalism to bridge literature and practice. Findings Gender inequities in African FM arise from leadership under-representation, role stereotyping that channels women into “soft services”, limited access to technical training/certification and weak translation of gender policy into operational routines. Exclusion from early design and capital-works decisions undermines safety, accessibility and user well-being. Evidence points to five levers for change: explicit inclusion of FM in national gender policies; gender-responsive procurement and contractor governance; mandated participation of women in design and oversight; targeted capacity building (mentorship, scholarships, certifications); and data systems that track gendered access, authority and advancement (e.g. a women’s empowerment in FM index). Originality/value The paper contributes an Africa-grounded policy and practice framework that converts gender commitments into auditable FM tools, checklists, procurement clauses, dashboards and empowerment metrics, linking equity to core FM outcomes (reliability, safety, cost and sustainability). It offers pragmatic guidance for governments, FM associations, universities and industry, aligning with the sustainable development goal (SDG 5 – gender equality) and the Africa Agenda 2063.
Mohammed et al. (Wed,) studied this question.