Gender equality is a fundamental principle for human development and social progress. However, in the workplace, women continue to face multiple barriers and inequalities that limit their participation, access to leadership positions, their remuneration, and consequently their economic empowerment. These gender gaps have negative consequences for both women and society as a whole, affecting well-being, growth, and the diversity of cultural and creative expressions. Some very impactful data supporting this include:
- In the gastronomic sector, of the hundreds of Michelin-starred restaurants awarded since 1931, only 9.2% of kitchens are led by women, according to Michelin Guide data.
- All studies on resilience in crises highlight the need for diversity in leadership positions. Companies with at least 30% of women on their boards increase their profitability by an average of 40% more than those composed only of men.
- According to a study on Gender, Gamers, and Video Games, 7 out of 10 women claim to know sexist videos (73.8%) where women are objectified and sexualized as a form of discrimination.
Globally, there is a 26-percentage point gap between women’s and men’s participation in the labor force, which is close to 49% and 75% respectively (ILO, 2018). Additionally, women have more difficulties finding employment than men, and when they do, they often do so in low-status positions and under vulnerable conditions. In 86 countries, women face some form of labor restriction, and 95 countries do not guarantee equal pay for work of equal value (World Bank, 2022).
These gaps vary significantly among different regions of the world, being more pronounced in those with lower levels of economic and social development. For example, in North Africa and the Arab States, the female unemployment rate exceeds 16%, while in Latin America and the Caribbean it is 10% (ILO, 2018).
There are also significant differences between countries within each region. For example, in South America, female labor participation ranges from 65.6% in Ecuador to 83% in Bolivia (IDB, 2021).
In Latin America and the Caribbean, the COVID-19 pandemic has had a disproportionate impact on female employment. According to the ILO (2022), more than 4 million women have not been able to return to work after the health crisis. Additionally, the gender pay gap is estimated to be 17% on average regionally (ILO, 2019). These figures reflect the persistent structural inequalities affecting women in the Latin American labor market.
In some sectors, there is high female representation but they are not as visible. The National Institute of Cinema and Audiovisual of Argentina (INCAA) shared that out of 238 films released in Argentina in 2018, only 19% were directed by women and 27% had female directors of photography. Furthermore, women represent 85% of the industry in makeup and hairdressing, with 78% in wardrobe management (IFACCA, 2022)
Despite the active role of the creative economy in highlighting gender gaps, the availability of information and analysis on how they specifically materialize in the Latin American labor market is still limited. For this reason, last year, along with Chilean researcher Sofía Lobos, the IDB worked on an initial report entitled “Gender Gaps: Women’s Work in Cultural and Creative Sectors,” with the aim of providing a framework and background that would allow for an exploration of the determinants of female work, specifically in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, and Uruguay, in the performing arts, visual arts, the audiovisual sector, music, and video games. As expected, the report reveals that women have lower work participation than men in all analyzed sectors. It also shows that women face barriers to access leadership and creative decision-making positions, as well as to obtain fair and equitable compensation for their work.
None of this came as a surprise, but concrete data and systematic surveys of the sector are still needed. For this reason, a second investigation is currently underway to provide empirical evidence and recommendations that can contribute to improving gender policies in the cultural sector in the region, in other words, to contribute to dialogue and the development of strategies that promote greater inclusion and equity in the cultural and creative field, in four countries: Argentina, Colombia, Mexico, and Peru. The research contemplates two fundamental approaches: that of cultural rights and that of the creative economy. The cultural rights approach highlights the fundamental right of all people to participate in cultural life, to express their identity and creativity. Under this axis, it is emphasized that women must have equal access, production, and dissemination of culture. On the other hand, the creative economy approach emphasizes the economic value of cultural and creative activities and the crucial role of women in energizing this sector, despite facing gaps in terms of market access, income, intellectual property, and financing.
In conclusion, reducing gender gaps in creative and cultural industries is essential to promote equal opportunities, diversity, and enrichment of the global cultural landscape.
As we strive to create more just and inclusive societies, we must recognize and address the gender disparities that persist in these sectors. Equitable participation of men and women in creative and leadership roles not only strengthens the representation and authenticity of cultural narratives but also fosters innovation and the development of new perspectives.
To achieve this, a commitment is required from institutions, companies, and organized civil society to implement policies and practices that promote gender equality, inclusion, and empowerment of those involved in creative and cultural industries. Only then can we fully harness the creative and human potential of our communities and build a more equitable future full of opportunities.
If you want to learn more about this topic, download our latest publication on Gender Gaps in the Creative and Cultural Industries.
Very interesting. It is imperative that we have these types of articles and reports to visualize the need of gender equality in all sectors. I wonder if you will expand your research to other Latinamerican countries in the near future?