The music industry might see itself as promoting an enlightened liberated view of society. But in real life the industry, not helped by the fact that the majority of its decision makers are male, is conservative in a lot of its attitudes.
The report, based on a survey of 329 women mostly in the metropolitan Melbourne music industry and aged 26 to 35, unearthed growing pay inequality, discrimination against mothers, a confidence gap between men and women and sexual harassment at live music venues.
A major problem is that the nature of the business is that many (42%) of the women start jobs as volunteers. Only 27% have made it to full time work, and just an eyebrow-raising 1% are permanently employed.
60% of those in the survey earned under $40,000 a year from their music activities. The rest earned under $20,000, less than the national minimum wage is $34,112.
Almost half of mothers in the industry complained that they had experienced some form of workplace discrimination. Of these, a third resigned and looked for another job or dropped out of the workforce altogether.
The report also acknowledged research by La Trobe University that 96.6% interviewed thought unwanted sexual attention occurred in licensed venues and 80.2% thought it common. This was not only to patrons but performers and venue workers.
Also existing is the perception that women performers are not as good as their male counterparts. 45% of those in the survey were musicians and 24% were songwriters. Music Victoria reported, “Numerous survey respondents felt overlooked for opportunities because of the perception that they could not perform on stage or in a particular role as well as a male. The survey results provide plenty of examples of the ‘just a girl’ and ‘boys club’ mentality of many men (and some women).”
The association added, “The survey results identified five interconnected factors that contribute to the pay gap experienced by women in the music industry: lack of paid work opportunities; casualisation of the workforce; gendered nature of caring responsibilities; access to opportunities; and the confidence gap.
“The overrepresentation of men in decision making roles in the music industry means it can be difficult for women to develop the relationships they need to ‘get a foot in the door’ and ‘take the next step’ to establish and build their careers.”
The full report is available here.
In an attempt to address the imbalance, Music Victoria announced plans to launch a number of initiatives.
The first is a Women’s Music Industry Advisory Panel made up of musicians, venue bookers, academics, youth workers, curators, managers, bureaucrats and lawyers. It will advise
Music Victoria and the wider industry on developing specific initiatives (as mentoring and networking deemed important) to support women and diversity in the industry. It will identify issues, and publish findings and recommendations.
Music Victoria, which is already a key force in the Victorian state government’s new task force to combat sexual harassment in venues and festivals, will also lead or partner with other organisations to deliver support, and work at increasing female representation in its panels, board and award nominees. It will also push for greater networking opportunities in its development seminars and workshops.
Aside from musicians and songwirters, the survey also tapped on input from those in administration, music management and publicity.
60% of the survey’s respondents indicated the need to be able to network with senior or more experienced industry figures would be a boon to advance their careers. 53% suggested placement/internship opportunities while 55% considered a register of jobs, speaking, board opportunities and industry champions for gender equality.
