The session on GENDER EQUALITY: GENDER BALANCE IN THE CULTURAL AND CREATIVE SECTORS”, held on 4th and 5th September 2019 in Prague, has provided a space for exchange and discussion between 36 participants representing the cultural sectors from the EU Member States.
The present Brainstorming Report is the result of the discussion presented to the European Commission at a Dialogue Meeting on the 6th of November 2019 in Brussels.
The first topic in the 2019 – 2021 round of ‘Voices of Culture’ was about improving gender balance in the cultural and creative sectors. “Voices of Culture” did give the people most directly working in the sector, a voice to be heard and the opportunity to give their input on this issue. This important topic will also be discussed in other formats set up by the European Union.
Several gender gaps exist in nearly all cultural fields in the world and across the EU. Women are not only underrepresented in the workforce, mainly in creative jobs and in leadership and decision-making positions, but also paid less than their male colleagues. Moreover, gender stereotypes and sexual harassment are still widely taking place, while access of female artists to resources and to the art market is often limited. The conditions on the labour market make women artists particularly vulnerable, in particular as far as labour segregation, social rights related to pregnancy, maternity and pensions are concerned.
All successful applicants were invited to a “Brainstorming Meeting” on the 4th and 5th of September at Goethe-Institut Prague and to a “Dialogue Meeting” on the 6th of November at Flagey in Brussels and shared their input on several questions:
The discussion is of course not limited to these questions. Participants are encouraged to share their opinion on what other aspects they deem important.
The Brainstorming Meeting for the topic did take place on the 4th and 5th of September 2019 at the Goethe-Institut Prague. Travel, accommodation and catering for the participants was provided by Voices of Culture. The Dialogue meeting for this topic did take place on the 6th of November 2019 at Flagey in Brussels, Belgium. Travel, accommodation and catering for the participants was provided by Voices of Culture.
After an open call for applications, 36 organizations were chosen to participate in the dialogue cycle on Gender Balance in the Cultural and Creative Sectors. Each of the following networks and organizations, did send one representative to the Brainstorming Meeting and Dialogue Meeting: