The gender regime in the engineering profession and women engineers

This study investigates occupational segregation within the engineering profession as a prominent manifestation of gender-based inequalities prevalent in professional fields. The research focuses on examining the operational dynamics and reproduction mechanisms of the gender regime in engineering where segregation exists through both horizontal and vertical dimensions. Drawing on Walby's gender regime theory as its primary theoretical framework, the study analyses patterns of inequality within engineering through a holistic perspective that encompasses the complex network of relationships between institutional structures and social practices. The methodology encompasses a qualitative research design with a phenomenological approach, where semi-structured interviews were conducted with 68 participants (37 women, 31 men) across twelve engineering disciplines in Denizli province. The data was analyzed using phenomenological analysis methods, aiming to reach the essence of participants'lived experiences in the engineering field. The empirical findings demonstrate that gender inequalities within engineering are systematically reproduced through a continuum spanning from childhood through educational processes to professional life. The experiences of women engineers reveal both explicit and implicit exclusionary practices, while also highlighting the masculine structure within institutional culture and persistent structural barriers. Furthermore, the study shows that occupational segregation stems not merely from individual choices but is deeply embedded in the institutional and structural character of the prevailing gender regime. Keywords: Patriarchy, Gender regimes, Engineering, Occupational segregation