Sexism and Harassment Rampant in UK Music Industry
LONDON — In a shocking new report, it has been revealed that misogyny, sexual discrimination, and harassment are still pervasive issues faced by female musicians in the UK.
According to the findings, one-third of women in the music industry have been sexually harassed at work, with many citing it as a significant barrier to their career advancement.
Women are also eight times more likely to experience discrimination compared to men.
The revelations come from the inaugural UK Musicians’ Census conducted by the Musicians’ Union and Help Musicians, surveying over 6,000 music industry professionals, including 2,526 women.
The report exposes that women are paid less than men and often have shorter careers, despite having higher levels of education and training.
More than a quarter of female musicians stated that they do not earn enough from music to sustain a career, a figure that stands at 20% for men.
On average, women earn 10% less than their male counterparts, with an average annual income of £19,850 compared to £21,750 for men.
The authors of the report have labeled this inequality as “alarming” and highlighted the ingrained, structural barriers that women face in their career progression.
Nadia Khan, the founder of Women in CTRL, a non-profit music development organization, emphasized the need for the industry to take decisive actions to address these systemic issues and create a more equitable landscape for women in music.
These findings mirror a report released by MPs on the Women and Equalities Committee earlier this year, describing the music industry as a “boys’ club” rife with sexual harassment and abuse.
The report called for legislation to combat these issues following an inquiry into misogyny in the music industry that began in June 2022.
The report heard testimonies from industry figures like former BBC Radio 1 DJ Annie Mac, who highlighted the prevalence of sexual assault in the industry.
Singer Rebecca Ferguson also shared her experiences of misogyny, bullying, and discrimination in the music industry during her testimony.
Women who participated in the Musicians’ Census shared similar stories of discrimination, harassment, and assault, painting a grim picture of the challenges they face in the industry.
The report also shed light on the unique barriers women encounter in their career progression, such as childcare responsibilities and age discrimination.
Naomi Pohl, the general secretary of the Musicians’ Union, emphasized the need for the industry to take action, be transparent, and make meaningful changes to address these systemic issues.
Stories like these underscore the urgent need for the music industry to address the deep-rooted issues of sexism, harassment, and discrimination faced by female musicians in the UK.
