FEATURE:
Silenced and Ignored
Misogyny in Music: An Urgent and Alarming Moment for the Industry
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NOT it came as much of a shock…
PHOTO CREDIT: Karolina Grabowska/Pexels
to find that a new report and findings show that the music industry still favours men. It is a boys’ club where women are silenced or not believed if they report sexual abuse, harassment and misogyny. It is interesting that I read a social media post today that said misandry (hatred against men) by feminism is a myth. That feminists have the same attitude towards men as other men. This idea that there are man-hating feminists all over the world has been grossly exaggerated. However, it is clear that misogyny is very much alive and well. The music industry is decades behind other industries when it comes to protecting women and ensuring that there is equality. Even if there are some areas moving ahead regarding parity and recognition, one of the most serious and dark areas of music, sexual assault and ensuring women are safe, is in grave danger of not moving at all. An industry still run by men that protects men. The BBC reported on what MPs were told in a new report that shows the extent of the issue – and why urgent action needs to be taken:
“The music industry is still a "boys' club" where sexual harassment and abuse are common, MPs warned in a report.
The Women and Equalities Committee said musicians have to sit beside sexual abusers at parties and events, due to a "culture of silence".
It makes a series of recommendations to tackle the problem of misogyny, but also said that a shift in the behaviour of men is needed.
The government said the industry must ensure "a safe working environment".
The report by the Women and Equalities Committee follows an inquiry into misogyny in the music industry, which began in June 2022.
The cross-party group of MPs concluded that the issue was "endemic" and called for urgent action to tackle it.
The inquiry heard evidence from people including the former BBC Radio 1 DJ Annie Macmanus, who said there was a "tidal wave" of revelations about sexual assault in the music industry waiting to be told.
The broadcaster and writer said there was an "unbelievable" number of stories that have not yet emerged, and warned the industry was "rigged against women".
Singer and former X Factor contestant Rebecca Ferguson said in her evidence that misogyny in music was just "the tip of the iceberg".
She said bullying and corruption was allowed to happen, and said she had been told rapes were going unreported.
IN THIS PHOTO: Annie Macmanus/PHOTO CREDIT: Stephanie Sian Smith
The committee warned that non-reporting of sexual harassment and abuse was high, and that victims who did speak out struggle to be believed or face losing their career.
They said female artists are routinely undervalued and undermined, endure a focus on their physical appearance in a way that men are not subjected to, and have to work far harder to get the recognition their ability merits.
"Much of the evidence we received has had to remain confidential, including commentary on television shows and household names," the report said.
"That is highly regrettable but demonstrates the extent of the use of NDAs [non-disclosure agreements] and the culture of silence."
It said women in the music industry have had "their lives ruined and their careers destroyed by men who have never faced the consequences for their actions".
More broadly, the MPs also said women face a lack of support and persistent unequal pay, and warned these issues are worse for women who already face racial discrimination.
In 2021, a BLiM (Black Lives in Music) report found that racism in the British music industry was "serious, upfront and personal".
IN THIS PHOTO: Rebecca Ferguson/PHOTO CREDIT: Getty Images
Misogyny is 'endemic'
The report by the Women and Equalities Committee makes a series of recommendations to try and tackle misogyny and discrimination in the music industry.
The MPs called on ministers to amend the Equality Act, to ensure freelance workers have the same protections from discrimination as employees, and to improve protections for people facing intersectional inequality.
They also recommended the government legislate to impose a duty on employers to protect workers from sexual harassment by third parties.
The committee also urged ministers to prohibit the use of non-disclosure agreements in cases involving sexual abuse, sexual harassment or bullying.
Other recommendations in the report include increasing investment in diverse talent, and improving pathways to careers for women working in the industry.
The report welcomed the establishment of a single, recognisable body, the Creative Industries Independent Standards Authority, which it said would help to shine a light on unacceptable behaviour in the music industry.
But the committee cautioned it is "not a panacea for all of the problems in the industry" and "time will tell whether it has the powers required to drive the changes needed".
The committee chair, Caroline Nokes, said women's potential "should not have limits placed upon it by 'endemic' misogyny which has persisted for far too long within the music industry".
She said the report focuses on improving protections and reporting mechanisms, and on making reforms.
"However, a shift in the behaviour of men - and it is almost always men - at the heart of the music industry is the transformative change needed for talented women to quite literally have their voices heard and be both recognised and rewarded on equal terms."
A government spokesperson said: "All women should be able to work in a music sector which is free from misogyny and discrimination. The industry must do all it can to ensure there is a supportive and safe working environment and to address any imbalances of power that exist.
"The government will carefully consider the Committee's recommendations, and it is right that the industry is taking action through work led by Creative UK and the formation of the Creative Industries Independent Standards Authority”.
PHOTO CREDIT: MART PRODUCTION/Pexels
The report can be seen here. You should read the full report that shows the extent of the issue. The Summary makes it clear that the music industry is not doing enough to correct a decades-long ill and problem. Whilst women in the industry are speaking out, those in charge are not doing enough to make sufficient change:
“Women working in the music industry face limitations in opportunity, a lack of support, gender discrimination and sexual harassment and assault as well as the persistent issue of unequal pay in a sector dominated by self-employment and gendered power imbalances. Despite increases in representation, these issues are endemic and are intensified for women faced with intersectional barriers, particularly racial discrimination. There are legislative steps the Government can take to help tackle some of these concerns. The Equality Act should be amended to ensure freelance workers are provided with the same protections from discrimination as employees, section 14 of the Act should be brought into force to improve protections for people facing intersectional inequality. The Government should legislate to impose a duty on employers to protect workers from sexual harassment by third parties, a proposal the Government initially supported and then rejected last year. We received distressing evidence on the impact of non-disclosure agreements on victims of discrimination, harassment and abuse. Victims with little agency in the process are threatened into silence by organisations seeking to protect their reputation and the perpetrators of abuse who work for them. Victims described to us of being told they would suffer reprisals if they failed to sign what was put in front of them, often without independent counsel. The Government should urgently bring forward legislative proposals to prohibit the use of non-disclosure and other forms of confidentiality agreements in cases involving sexual abuse, sexual harassment or sexual misconduct, bullying or harassment, and discrimination relating to a protected characteristic. The Government should consider a retrospective moratorium on NDAs for those who have signed them relating to the issues outlined above”.
There has been a lot of reaction to these findings. I am not surprised to read the horrifying statistics and testimony. What is shocking is that we have to keep reading this. An industry dominated by women is also one watching them being harassed, abused and silenced. There is something quite warped when you think of everything that they give to music. Rather than them being celebrated, made equal, made safe and like they belong in the industry, it seems like this is not the case. How long is it going to take until a boys’ club built around misogyny is tackled and eradicated?! There does need to be a revolution. Change will not be instant. There is a lot to rectify and rebuild. What is evident is that things are broken and need fixing. Going back to the report, there is also the nature of equality across festivals and playlists. Women are not heard and seen. An entire report that clearly highlights how women are having to face to much discrimination and barriers:
“2023 saw a landmark year for female artists in the UK; seven of the top 10 tracks and 13 of the top 20 were by women. Nearly half (48.5%) of the tracks that reached the Top 10 of the weekly Official Singles Chart were by female artists, either solo or as part of a collaboration. This represented their highest annual share of Top 10 hits this century.8 However, behind these achievements, which are to be celebrated, lies a wider picture of deeprooted underrepresentation of women in key roles in the music industry. 7. Women represent less than a third of top-selling artists in music and only 14% of songwriters.9 In 2022, just 187 women and non-binary people were credited as either producer or engineer on the top 50 streamed tracks in 14 genres, compared to 3,781 men.10 Of all songwriters and composers who received a royalty in 2020 from their music being streamed, downloaded, broadcast, or performed, only one in six (16.7%) were women. Most recently, in summer 2023, only one in 10 headliners at music festivals in the UK were women. Responding to criticism of the lack of female headliners at the Glastonbury festival, Emily Eavis, co-organiser of the festival, who has long advocated for balanced line-ups, voiced her frustration at the lack of female artists being signed and supported: We’re trying our best so the pipeline needs to be developed. This starts way back with the record companies, radio. I can shout as loud as I like but we need to get everyone on board”.
I will leave it there. I am going to write more about this in the coming weeks. I wanted to react to a new report presented to MPs. The Women and Equalities Committee presenting the Misogyny in Music report should, one hopes, be a wake-up call. An alarm to the industry that things need to change. The more we read about misogyny, abuse and discrimination, the more women who will leave the industry. There have been a series of recommendations made as to how change can be affected. Steps and ideas that will, hopefully, be taken on board to ensure that the huge issue of misogyny ends. Maybe this tide will finally turn. It has been long overdue! This year needs to be one where…
WOMEN are a priority.