LONDON: British MPs Tuesday called on the music industry to clean up its act, as it laid bare a catalogue of misogyny, discrimination and sexual abuse in a damning 74-page report, “Misogyny in Music”.
“The music industry has always prided itself on being a vehicle for social change,” Women and Equalities Committee of the UK parliament said.
“When it comes to discrimination, and the harassment and sexual abuse of women, it has a lot of work to do.”
The report, “Misogyny in Music”, looked at the entire music sector, from recording studios and radio stations to orchestras and festivals.
The industry “is still routinely described as a ‘boys’ club'”, with predominantly white men in key roles, observed the MPs.
“Women seeking careers in music continue to face unjustifiable limitations in opportunity, a lack of support, gender discrimination and sexual harassment as well as the ‘persistent issue of equal pay’ in a sector dominated by self-employment,” they added.
“These issues are intensified for artists faced with intersectional barriers” such as ethnic minorities or the LGBTQ+ community, the report said further.
Last year, women topped the UK music charts like never before, with seven of the 10 most streamed tracks coming from female artists.
But MPs said their success masks a darker reality, as women still only represent less than a third of top-selling artists and 14 per cent of songwriters.
Women are underrepresented everywhere, especially in positions of power, but also among artists signed to major record labels, on radio or streaming, festival headliners or performers selected for the most prestigious awards.
Last year’s Glastonbury festival – the country’s biggest and most famous – was criticized for having only male headliners.
In the past 20 years, only five female stars have earned the top rating.
This year, Glastonbury co-organizer Emily Eavis floated the prospect of two female headliners, prompting media speculation about potential appearances by Dua Lipa and Madonna.
Eavis told the committee during evidence sessions: “We are trying our best so the pipeline has to be developed.
“This starts a long time ago with the record companies, the radio. I can scream all I want, but we have to get everybody on board.”
“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.”
The report, based on individual interviews and personal hearings, raises complaints about pay inequality and the systematic belittling of women, and also focuses on their physical appearance.
“Despite increases in representation, discrimination and misogyny remain endemic,” it added.
