Cover page of a report titled

Report: ‘Misogyny in music’

Studies show that women are underrepresented in key roles in the music industry. This is why the UK Women and Equalities Committee issued a report on the misogynistic practices, unequal pay and intersectional barriers (e.g., relating to ethnicity, disability) still persisting in all sectors of the music sector. 

The Women and Equalities Committee of the UK House of Commons is a parliamentary committee responsible for checking government policies on issues related to gender equality, discrimination, and women’s rights. It conducts inquiries, gathers evidence, and makes recommendations to promote gender equality and address inequalities in various sectors of society. 

This publication summarises the status quo of female workers in the music sector, drawing from numerous sources and surveys. It also contains recommendations to improve gender equality in our sector. While the report doesn’t examine festival culture in particular, festivals, their line-up, and their recruiting choices play an important part in furthering the cause to create equal opportunities and representation for all genders. 

The paper focuses mainly on women and does not give a lot of information on the status-quo of non-binary, trans, agender individuals and individuals of other genders, merely mentioning them in sub-clauses here and there.

Further, the report lists networks and organisations supporting women in the industry. It also explores which legislative changes need to be made to help (especially freelance) workers and those who take care of their children besides working in music. However, the publication emphasises that the root of the problem lies within the behaviour of men, highlighting the need for education on misogyny and consent. Ultimately, the music industry must address these issues to fulfil its potential as a force for social change.

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