A recent report published by Help Musicians and the Musicians’ Union has shed light on the pervasive gender discrimination and sexual harassment faced by women in the music industry. The findings reveal a stark reality: women are disproportionately affected by discrimination, harassment, and career barriers in the music world.
According to the report, over half of the respondents, consisting of 2,526 female musicians, reported facing discrimination due to their gender. Shockingly, one-third of women in music disclosed experiencing sexual harassment while pursuing their careers.
The report underscores several critical issues that women encounter in the industry, including gender discrimination, sexual harassment, gender pay gaps, and obstacles to career advancement. Women are eight times more likely to experience discrimination than men, with a significant percentage reporting instances of sexual harassment in the workplace.
Despite being equally qualified, women in music earn nearly a tenth less than their male counterparts on average. Family and child care responsibilities are cited as significant barriers to career progression for 29% of women, while 27% struggle to earn enough to support themselves or their families.
Furthermore, the report highlights disparities in career opportunities and earnings across different music genres. While women dominate fields such as classical and music theatre, they remain significantly underrepresented in roles such as DJs, producers, live sound engineers, and studio/mastering engineers.
The findings of the report underscore the urgent need for action to address gender inequity in the music industry. Nadia Khan, founder of Women in CTRL, emphasizes the importance of these findings in driving meaningful change and ensuring equitable opportunities for all musicians.
