Gender Equality On and Off the Stage

Gender Equality Thursdays

Gender Equality
Thursdays

The Covid-19 Pandemic & its Impact on Gender Equality

Gender Equality Thursday N°1 – September 16th 2021

This first webinar focused on the Covid-19 pandemic and its impact on gender equality in the sector. The Covid-19 crisis has hit women the hardest, threatening to roll back decades of fragile progress on gender equality. As one the sectors most affected by the pandemic, the live performance sector has left women in a particularly precarious situation. What consequences has the Covid-19 crisis had on women generally and to what extent are these reflected in the live performance sector? How can we avoid exacerbating gender stereotypes and structural gender inequalities? How can we use the recovery to foster gender equality in the cultural and creative sectors? How can we ensure that the gender dimension is included in all policy areas?

Below are two videos of this webinar – a short summary video, as well as a longer version with the full speaker contributions. You can download the programme and presentations here.

Addressing Bias and combatting stereotypes

Gender Equality Thursday N°2 – October 7th 2021

This second webinar focused on addressing bias and combatting stereotypes. The power of live performance has always been the way it holds a mirror up to society and how that mirror can educate and enlighten us by reflecting the world as it is – or how we would like it to be. Live Performance could be instrumental in changing the way Europeans perceive gender equality. Today, the representation of women in all their diversity remains an issue in the sector, and gender identity and roles are often portrayed in stereotypical ways. How can we ensure a better representation of all women on and off stage? How can we foster a fair and accurate portrayal of women and men, free of stereotypes and sexualisation? How can we overcome gender roles at work, and encourage women and men to explore other career paths?

Below are two videos of this webinar – a short summary video, as well as a longer version with the full speaker contributions. You can download the programme and presentations here.

Combatting Sexual Harassment in the Live Performance Sector

Gender Equality Thursday N°3 – October 28th 2021

The high-profile revelations of sexual misconduct in the US in 2017 created a domino effect across the globe, within the entertainment industry, and far beyond. The #metoo movement was a global wake-up call, lifting the lid on an endemic culture of sexual harassment in the industry that had long gone unquestioned. How can we put a definitive end to this harassment culture, and bring about real change in our society and in our sector? How can we appropriately address sexual harassment and gender based violence in the workplace? What tools can we use to create a workplace that is free of discrimination, harassment and retaliation?

Below are two videos of this webinar – a short summary video, as well as a longer version with the full speaker contributions. You can download the programme and presentations here.

Equal Access to Decision-making & Leadership Positions

Gender Equality Thursday N°4 – November 18th 2021

This fourth and final webinar tackled the issue of equal access to women to decision-making and leadership positions in the live performance sector. In the EU, only 7.5% of board chairs and 7.7% of CEOs are women. This significant gender gap in decision-making positions is characteristic also of the Live Performance sector. Underrepresented in leadership positions in the sector, women usually earn less than their male counterparts and very often have to bear the burden of responsibility for caring. How can we reduce the gender pay gap? How can we lift the “care penalty” and guarantee better work-life balance for women and for men? How can we create fairer selection processes for leadership positions, and overcome unconscious bias?

Below are two videos of this webinar – a short summary video, as well as a longer version with the full speaker contributions. You can download the programme and presentations here.