This plan was launched in response to the last UK Government’s rejection of recommendations made in the ‘Misogyny in Music’ Report from the Women and Equalities Committee (WEC), which LIVE published in January 2024.
The cross-party WEC holds Government to account on equality law and policy, including the Equality Act 2010 and cross Government activity on equalities. Its report, ‘Misogyny in Music’, concluded that 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.
The report made a number of key recommendations that were rejected by the last Government but could now be actioned. Building on the work of its LIVE Workforce group, the ‘Statement of Commitment’ underscores how LIVE members have pledged to work towards a future where everyone, regardless of gender, can thrive and feel respected in the live music community. This commitment involves actively challenging sexist attitudes and behaviours, promoting gender equality, and providing support and opportunities for women and female identifying Trans people in the industry.
LIVE and its 15 member organisations (including PLASA) have made four key commitments to create safer, more inclusive environments for women in live music:
● Benchmarking: Committed to collectively benchmarking female representatives at CEO, Board, Chair and Executive level so that we can track progress year on year.
● Promote Gender Diversity and Inclusivity: Encourage more female representation in all aspects of the music industry, recognising that Trans women face increased marginalisation, discrimination and harassment and need support. This visibility will help challenge stereotypes, reduce phobias, tackle discrimination and reduce sexual harassment.
● Education and Awareness: Undertake and/or provide training on gender equality, sexual harassment, responding to disclosure and unconscious bias to help create a safer and more inclusive environment within the live music industry.
● Establish Zero-Tolerance Policies: There is zero tolerance for gender-based violence, racism, homophobia, transphobia, sexism, discrimination, sexual harassment, abuse and disablism, and we will support further development of policies to establish an even more robust position.
Gaby Cartwright, Head of Partnerships at LIVE and Chair of its Misogyny in Music Group said, “Following the publication of the Women and Equalities Committee’s Misogyny in Music report last year we were disappointed that the then UK government chose not to adopt its recommendations. While we will continue to challenge that decision, there is an urgent need to have a strategy in place to confront the serious issues being faced by too many women working in the UK live music industry. To that end, we are pleased that, within our wider work on equity and inclusion, all 15 members of LIVE have made this commitment to eradicating misogyny from our industry.”
