Using key stats from the Musicians’ Census: Women Musicians Insight Report, Naomi explained some of the barriers women face sustaining a career in the music industry. Photo: Shutterstock.
On 28 January, the Women and Equalities Committee (WEC) heard from women working across the music industry for its follow-up evidence session in Parliament, one year on from the publication of its report into Misogyny in Music.
MU General Secretary, Naomi Pohl, presented evidence that highlighted issues that the MU’s women members face, including an increased risk of sexual harassment, safety getting to and from work, and a lack of reporting processes.
Based on experiences reported by musicians, in particular freelancers, Naomi reported that women musicians often have to make the choice between their personal safety and their finances, with expense payments falling short of the true cost of public transport and accommodation.
Barriers to career progression
Using key stats from the Musicians’ Census: Women Musicians Insight Report, Naomi explained some of the barriers women face sustaining a career in the music industry.
On barriers to career progression, the report found that:
- 44% of women reported not being able to make a sustainable income
- 29% reported family/caring commitments
- 20% reported discrimination
- 11% reported work related abuse/harassment
Discrimination at work
Regarding discrimination, Naomi shared shocking statistics:
- 87% of women reported experiencing or witnessing discrimination of some kind while working in music
- 51% of women report experiencing gender discrimination while working as a musician
- 47% of women from the Global Majority reported experiencing racism (only 8% of women who experienced or witnessed racism reported it)
- 32% of women report being sexually harassed while working as a musician. Women from the Global Majority, Disabled Women and LGBT+ Women experience this at higher rates than their white/non-disabled/heterosexual counterparts.
Naomi urged the committee to rethink how the government supports self-employed mothers - a major career barrier- and asked the government for changes including:
- Making childcare tax deductible for self-employed people
- Bringing Maternity Allowance in line with Statutory Maternity Pay
- Increased Keeping In Touch days
The importance of a coalition-driven approach
Naomi went on to discuss some of the challenges the industry faces when tackling issues that the Misogyny in Music report highlighted.
Many organisations are not equipped or resourced to tackle these issues, especially smaller organisations such as grassroots venues and festivals. She also expressed a concern that organisations in survival mode due to funding issues may not be able to give sufficient attention and resources to equality, diversity and inclusion initiatives. This is where the Creative Industries Independent Standards Authority (CIISA), could assist in prevention strategies.
Explaining the transformational role that CIISA (an organisation whose sole focus is on preventing misogyny, sexual harassment and discrimination, and supporting people who experience these behaviours), could play in changing the culture of the music industry, Naomi stressed the importance of a coalition-driven approach.
She shared examples of initiatives such as the MU, Black Lives in Music, and Association of British Orchestra’s 10-point plan for inclusive recruitment, that engages everyone as part of the solution.
Recommendations
Sharing her concerns that very little has changed in the music industry since the publication of the WESC report a year ago, Naomi explained to the Committee how the industry needs more funding to create impact at scale.
She outlined changes to the Equality Act 2010 that would better protect freelancers, and that extending limitation periods for Equality Act-based discrimination and sexual harassment claims was also part of the solution.
The Committee discussed Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs) and Naomi shared the MU’s view that NDAs which prohibit disclosure of sexual harassment, discrimination or bullying should be banned.
Naomi finished the session by asking the Committee to urge the government to implement the recommendations from the report in full.