​UK government is “falling short” in protecting women in music, say industry leaders

The UK government is “falling short” in protecting women in the music industry, according to industry leaders.

Black Lives In Music (BLiM) and the Creative Industries Independent Standards Authority (CIISA) have responded to the government’s tackling of misogyny in the music industry, which they claim continues despite “strong evidence from women, experts and organisations in the sector”.

Last year, BLiM gave evidence at the Misogyny In Music Inquiry set up by the Women and Equalities Committee. The first-of-its-kind inquiry was followed up by a report in January, which detailed misogynistic and discriminatory accounts.

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BLiM and CIISA have now expressed concerns over the government’s “inaction and oversight” of the challenges faced by women in music, as per the recent report.

"Though it's heartening to see the government’s willingness to engage with the Creative Industries Independent Standards Authority (CIISA), their oversight of the unique challenges faced by women in our sector is profoundly disheartening,” says Black Lives in Music CEO Charisse Beaumont.

“To dismiss the need for the dual discrimination provision in the Equality Act 2010 as 'unnecessary' reveals a grave misunderstanding or, worse, a blatant disregard by the government,” she added. “Intersectional discrimination is a harsh reality for countless women in our industry.”

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In response, BLiM has launched a survey to uncover the extent of misogyny in the music industry, named YourSafetyYourSay, said to be a “pivotal intervention”.

The survey will investigate bullying and harassment in the music industry as a “key response to the parliamentary Misogyny In Music Inquiry”. BLiM will then use the anonymous survey to collect "real world data”, which could inform legislation and the continued work of CIISA.

The survey is currently being backed by the likes of Nova Twins, The Ivors Academy, and Pirate Studios. BLiM is urging artists in the music industry to share their experiences by filling out the survey.

Find out more about the YourSafetyYourSay survey here.

Gemma Ross is Mixmag's Assistant Editor, follow her on Twitter