'Be The Change: Women In Music 2022’ Survey Results Released; The Challenge Continues

The Challenge Continues

MIDIA RESEARCH has partnered with TUNECORE and BELIEVE to release the second annual global study, BE THE CHANGE: WOMEN IN MUSIC 2022. The report follows the 2021 study, which revealed the challenges that women creators face in a male-dominated industry. The initial results indicate women continue to face gender discrimination, but there has been some improvement across diversity and visibility for women in positions of power. 

This year's study breaks out differences by region, genre, gender identity and role (executives versus creators). Also for the first time, it surveyed men about their perceptions of women’s challenges, and their own role as allies. The study also significantly broadened the scope across other non-male gender identities and the different challenges they face. In addition to the survey, MIDIA conducted one-on-one interviews with independent artists from around the world, including ARMENIA, INDIA, FRANCE, LEBANON, MEXICO, NIGERIA, THAILAND, the U.S. and the U.K. 

The survey reveals a lack of real change since 2021, and little progress with the challenges that women face. It also unveils the four key areas that require substantial progress: harassment, the perception gap (between men and women), the value gap (women’s pay and reward), and confidence. Despite the high level of awareness in mainstream media on the topic of sexual harassment, it remains the top challenge that women continue to face, evidenced by all groups cited within this research, highlighting the need for zero tolerance of sexual harassment. 

The report pinpoints confidence as a key factor for helping women persevere through challenges in the music industry, but highlights that most women struggle with confidence issues, like imposter syndrome, compared to --or while working with -- men. In the survey, more than half of the men surveyed indicated that they have listened consciously, encouraged women to be part of the music business, and actively involved women in projects. However, the study recommends specific calls to action for men working in the industry to step up with much more proactive support and encouragement of non-male co-workers. 

The good news from the survey results lies in the increasing visibility of women in the music industry at live events and conferences, among the few challenges perceived as improving by women creators (40%). As initial changes start to show, women are beginning to take control of their careers and find success in their own ways. These women artists are driven and independent. To them, success looks like being able to earn a living regardless of fame (58%), improving their music and creating the best music they can (51%), and being respected and recognized in their scene (49%).

TUNECORE CEO ANDREA GLEESON said, “Today's music industry demands a range of viewpoints to fuel its evolution. Diversity and gender equality in the workplace have been proven to increase productivity, performance and quality. Those who do not value an array of perspectives lose growth opportunities and suppress innovation. Equality is quality. While it’s encouraging to see that the visibility of women in the music industry has improved in the last year, we still have a long way to go to bridge the diversity gap. For real change to occur, we all need to take action both as individuals and collectively with each other. We must BE THE CHANGE we want to see!”

Founder and CEO/BELIEVE DENIS LADEGAILLERIE commented, “Promoting inclusivity and gender equality is at the very core of BELIEVE’s values. This is why it was key for us to continue being a part of this important conversation for our industry. I hope the ambitious calls to action presented in the report can have a positive impact and help us collectively do better in addressing the current challenges many women creators and executives face, and to create a safer and fairer environment for all of them."

MIDIA RESEARCH Managing Dir. MARK MULLIGAN added, “We are very proud of this second edition of the 'Women in Music' report. Last year's report had an important impact on the market, providing long needed data that revealed the scale of the challenges facing women in music. This year, we have significantly built upon these foundations, expanding and deepening the scope to address issues, such as the role of confidence and the perception gap between how males view the scale of the problems compared to how things actually are. Unfortunately, not enough progress has been made within the last year. This is why we have included strong calls to action, with the hope that this time next year we can report on truly meaningful progress and change.”

Click here to read the full report.

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